Some people enjoy just jumping in the car and going where the road takes them. But others like to plan their road trip ahead of time. See your route, get directions, and add unique or fun stops along the way.

If you are a planner getting ready for a road trip, long or short, these websites can help you map it all out perfectly.

1. Furkot Road Trip Planner

furkot road trip planner

For a full-featured planning tool, Furkot Road Trip Planner is a terrific site. You can get started quickly by entering just small amount of details like your starting and ending points and whether or not it is a one-way trip.

You can optionally configure details such as start and end dates, how long you want your days to be, your method of travel, and lodging requirements. You will then see your route on the map and can add many items to your trip.

Add hotels, eating spots, or activities along the way. And, most locations conveniently link to booking and reservation sites.

furkot road trip planner

The Furkot Trip Planner gives you full details including directions, distance, driving hours per day, and you can choose when you want to obtain fuel. Everything you add is plotted on the map, plus you can export your itinerary in several different formats or share it with others.

2. Roadtrippers

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Another excellent planning site is Roadtrippers. Add your starting and ending points to begin and optionally include hotels, activities, and even offbeat attractions from the main page. You will then see the map of your route, where you can explore by adding more stops.

Each stop you add produces an additional layer. So, you can see the locations both on the map and the different layers to click on for further details.

Along with the common options like places to eat, stay, and have fun, you can include shopping, nightlife, and camping spots. Select the locations to get more details and see where to make your reservations.

roadtrippers trip screenshot

Roadtrippers provides extra information along with its directions like the number of miles and handy fuel estimates if you enter your vehicle type. Create multiple trips, share them when planning a vacation with friends, and check out helpful trip guides.

You can also sync your trip with the mobile apps for Android and iOS.

3. MyScenicDrives

myscenicdrives add destination web

MyScenicDrives is an easy-to-use road trip planner with basic features in addition to its scenic drive offerings. Like the others, you begin with a start and an end point. If you have a specific stop you want to make along the way, you can enter it by name or address. This is handy if you know a certain place you want to visit.

If you are not quite sure where you want to stop and would like to explore options, just click a spot on the map along your route. This will open a small menu where you can select places of interest, hotels, campgrounds, and towns.

The map will update once you make your choice and pop open a sidebar with details of the locations in that category.

myscenicdrives web

MyScenicDrives trip planner also includes a convenient to-do list. If you need to remember something specific for your trip, or a spot that is not necessarily a location to stop at, this is useful. Then, get your directions, optimize stops for time or distance, print, or share your trip.

You can export all the information to a GPS device or use the turn-by-turn directions even without a device.

4. MapQuest

mapquest planner web

You may only think about using MapQuest when you need directions. But it works very well as a road trip planner too! When you hit the site, try the Directions option rather than the Route Planner.

The Route Planner is helpful for optimizing your trip when you have more than a few stops, whereas the Directions option lets you add hotels, food, and shopping locations to your trip. Once you enter your starting and ending points, you will receive immediate details like distance, time, and estimated fuel cost. Then, just add stops by using the buttons at the top.

If you select hotels, you will not only see them plotted on the map, but room rates and if they are sold out. MapQuest can help you find cheap gas as well. The gas option also displays prices for each station, which is super convenient.

mapquest planner gas web

You can click the More button to see a list of locations like hospitals, ATM machines, pharmacies, and post offices on your route. Most options you pick will offer the address, additional details, and a link to the website.

When you finish, just save, share, or print your trip plan.

5. Rand McNally TripMaker

rand mcnally new trip web

Another site known for its maps that offers a road trip planner is Rand McNally. Like MapQuest, when you enter your starting and ending points, you will immediately see miles, time, and an estimated fuel cost along with the directions.

If you have a specific stop to make, you can add it to the route by entering its address. If not, click on Things to Do from the left-hand menu and then mark places you want to stop.

Everything from rest areas to amusement parks to small-town gems are at your fingertips. If you see one you like, click it for more information or to add it to your trip plan. You can also choose the number of miles off your route you are willing to stop.

rand mcnally trip planner web

You can add notes if needed and rearrange your stops with a drag and drop action. When your trip plan is complete, you can send it directly to GPS if you own a Rand McNally unit. Or you can simply print or email it.

6. Wanderlog

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Wanderlog is a trip planner that works great for planning road trips as well as vacations. Sign up on the site and click on Plan new trip to create your trip. Enter your destination and dates and select Start Planning.

Wanderlog lets you invite your friends to join your road trip and set the visibility as public. You can search for places to add to your road trip. Alternatively, it displays suggestions for places to visit near your destination.

wanderlog trip screenshot

Wanderlog also lets you create an itinerary, allowing you to plan each day of your trip. It has an option for adding notes, so you can create a to-do or packing list. Besides its website, you can try the Wanderlog mobile app.

Specific Travel Types

If your next road trip is specifically for camping, or you want to bring your family pet, then check out these sites. The sites below are tailored for these types of travel, and you might find them to be ideal for planning your trip.

7. Free Campsites

free campsites web

On the Free Campsites website, you can select Trip Planner from the top of the main page and you're on your way. Enter your start and end spots and you will see campsites plotted on the map.

You will also get driving directions, details on the campgrounds, and can add stops along your route.

8. GoPetFriendly

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If you are traveling with Fluffy or Rover, plan your adventure with the GoPetFriendly's Road Trip Planner.

After entering your starting and ending points, add stops, plan breaks, and choose route options. The tool shows time and distance of your trip, besides allowing you to share and save your trips.

Carry These Special Road Trip Tools, Too

For extra help preparing for your road trip, these tools come in handy. From apps for solo travelers to eating recommendations to fuel stops, they might just be the little bonuses you need to pack for your adventure.

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Where Is Your Next Road Trip Taking You?

Whether you are traveling alone or taking your family along, road trips can be a ton of fun and less expensive than a plane ticket. You can check out neat locations along the way, see parts of your country you never have, and experience a different geographical culture.

And if you're not sure where you want to take a road trip, you can try travel apps that help you find interesting and unique tourist spots.