Planning a Cross-Country Christian Road Trip: 5 Pointers

So you’ve decided to take a cross-country road trip this summer? Get ready to have the time of your life and experience a lot of discomfort. Road trips are a great way to bond with Christian friends and expand your personal boundaries. You’ll learn more about yourself, your friends and God’s character through this adventure. 

Road trips are also a unique opportunity to see Scripture come to life. Many Biblical stories focus on journeys, both physical and spiritual. After you’ve been on the road for two weeks, you’ll never take hospitality for granted again. Here are five points for how you can plan an epic cross-country Christian road trip this summer. 

1. Plan for Disaster

Although you could begin your journey without any prep, the most successful road trips take some solid planning. If you prepare for the worst before you leave, you won’t have to deal with worries or safety concerns along the way. Preparation frees you up for spontaneity, adventure and a truly enjoyable experience. 

Before you hit the road, get your car checked out. Make sure to take your car’s manual, insurance information and a spare tire. Pack a paper map in case you get lost and your electronics die. You should also make a plan for how you’ll meet basic needs, including water, food, shelter and bathroom access. 

2. Choose Destinations

Next, think about where you want to go. Is there a National Park you’ve always wanted to see? What goals do your friends have for this trip? Talk about your ideal destinations and then create a route where you can reach as many of them as possible. Don’t forget to plan in time to explore and stay overnight if needed. 

Both National and State Parks make for great destinations if you love the outdoors. Nature is a powerful and refreshing reminder of God’s character – it shows us that he’s creative, he cares about the tiniest details and his wisdom is unfathomable. On Sundays, you can stop in cities along the way to visit churches and meet new believers.

3. Budget Wisely

During the summer, travel expenses always go up. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to stay within your budget. Start by setting financial expectations with your friend group. How much are people comfortable spending? One of the biggest ways to save is by camping instead of renting hotels during your journey. Consider living out of your car or taking a tent to reduce expenses. 

You can save money on gas by practicing good driving principles. Avoid using the gas when you’re going downhill and avoid sudden starts and stops. Using cruise control on the interstate can help you save gas while traveling long distances. When you need to fill up, always go to stations in cities where demand is low instead of stopping at remote gas stations.  

4. Slow Down

One of the most appealing parts about a road trip is the constant excitement of seeing new places and moving on to new things. However, it’s essential that you plan in enough time for rest along the way. Here are a few ways you can intentionally slow down during your trip. 

• Plan enough time for sleep 
• Take frequent driving breaks
• Have morning devotional time
• Spend a few days in one place
• Listen to worship in the car

Slowing down will help you enjoy the fast-paced parts of your trip much more. Although pulling an all-nighter can be fun once, it’s not something you want to do every day. Quality rest is essential for your mental, physical and spiritual health. 

5. Stay Flexible

Once you get started on your adventure, remember to stay flexible. Communicate about how you’re feeling and make sure everyone’s having a good time. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference for a friend’s comfort level. Make sure you know which destinations are nonnegotiable. 

Don’t be afraid to change your plans along the way. The joy in road-tripping is in the adventure – you never know what you could find in the next hour or the one after that. Follow your instincts and make new friends throughout your journey. If you reach a destination and don’t like it, move on without a second thought. 

Your Summer Adventure

Use these five tips to plan an epic Christian road trip for this summer. Plan for disaster so you can enjoy yourself along the way. Talk to your friends and choose destinations that fill you with wonder and excitement. Budget wisely so that you can go as far or stay as long as you like. Stay flexible and don’t be afraid to adapt and change your plans as you go. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to plan in time to slow down. Spend time reading Scripture together and talk about the journeys woven throughout the Biblical narrative. Some examples are Abraham’s journey in Genesis, David’s journey to kingship and Jesus’ journey to the cross. The time you spend on this road trip will create precious memories, drawing you closer to God and each other.