Looking for romantic road trips for couples that won’t leave you cranky by day two? Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended driving adventure, we’ve rounded up practical tips, must-pack items, and over 25 dreamy road trip ideas.
These are tried-and-true suggestions to help you plan a memorable—and low-stress—journey with your favorite person.
You may be looking for road trips for couples, but planning to make them stress-free is just as important. We’re sharing both with you so you can have the best road trip with no fuss!
As exciting as it may sound, hitting the road without a well-thought-out approach can quickly turn your romantic getaway into a stressful ordeal.
As much as we love traveling, we welcome a road trip. Airport anxiety is real, so you can avoid it when jumping in a car. That said, stress comes with any trip, road, or air.
So before you pack your bags and leave for one of the romantic road trips of your life, take a moment to sit down, read this article, and list down all the essentials you’ll need, the route you’ll follow, the accommodations you need to book, and the activities to do.
Set A Budget
Like it or loath it, setting a budget is a vital part of a road trip plan. Start by asking your partner questions like:
- Where would you like to stay—a hotel, a campsite, or with friends or family? We love the HotelTonight app, which offers great last-minute deals on hotels near you. Interested in camping? Check out Camping for Beginners.
- What route do you want to take—the faster one (which sometimes has tolls) or the slower but prettier one? You may want to fly and then take an international road trip (we list some below).
- How far do you want to travel & how long do you want to travel? Remember, fuel costs will soak up a significant part of the budget.
- Should we rent a car or use our own car?
- What activities do you want to do? Are you looking for adventure or relaxation? How much money will we need for activities like park entrance fees?
- Are there any upcoming events in the destinations we’re visiting? Would we want to attend them?
- Do you want to cook or take out each night—or maybe a blend of the two? Are there any particular cuisines you’re hoping to try?
It’s important to come together for the financial planning for road trips for couples. We also have a financial planning worksheet for couples that may help.
Clean Your Car Inside Out
You don’t want to start a fun experience with a messy car, especially during road trips for couples. You’ll need even the car’s tiniest space to store your road trip essentials (discussed below). We love keeping things organized with a road trip car organizer.
For the outside, give it a good wash and check for any maintenance so you can enjoy the trip without stressing about the car breaking down mid-way.
Pack the Right Essentials
Once you have the plan, don’t worry—we will give you some ideas below. You’ll want to pack what you need, but only what you need. You don’t need the whole house. It’s about the experience, of course!
We’ll share the road trip for couples essentials for a seamless, stress-free, and memorable journey!
Essentials for You + Your Partner
- Nutritious Snacks: Pack nutritious options like fruits, nuts, protein bars, crackers, and fruit. These are great ideas for keeping you energized and refreshed.
- Water: Keep yourself hydrated. Instead of using plastic bottles, go for reusables that can be refilled pretty much everywhere for free. It’s important to be an eco-friendly traveler.
- Simple Picnic Gear: Eating out as you go can add a lot of extra charges to your budget. So why not enjoy the cost-effective and romantic option of picnicking at a scenic spot along your route? We love this picnic backpack, which has everything you need.
- First Aid Kit: Always be prepared for unfortunate events, especially in inaccessible areas where an injury can become a serious problem. Create your own to meet your own medical needs.
- Car Phone Charger: This may seem obvious, but don’t forget it. You’ll need a dual outlet phone charger for both of you. Your phone will be necessary for everything, from reservations and navigating to music and texting home. Grab a hands-free phone mount to make navigating much more seamless.
- Cozy Blanket: For folks who plan to camp in their car or van, there is nothing more romantic than cuddling up with your partner and sipping on wine while it gets dark. Our absolute favorite is the Cozy Earth Bubble Cuddle Blanket.
- Speaking of camping, check out our essential tent camping checklist if you will be camping along the way.
- Neck Pillow: You’ll need to recharge your energy to continue driving (or riding). This car neck pillow is handy for getting comfortable sleep in the passenger seat.
- For those international travelers, you may find the best gift for someone traveling abroad here.
Essentials For Your Car (and you)
- Wet Wipes: For EVERYTHING—your body, face, car’s dashboard, spills and messes, you name it! We love these eco-friendly NeatWipes.
- Garbage Container: When practicing eco-tourism, you will always leave places cleaner than you found them. This car trash bin is spacious, leakproof, and super handy!
- Roadside Emergency Kit: Having a roadside emergency kit (and a spare tire) is also a nice way to make yourself feel more prepared and relaxed throughout the journey. Double up on your safety and enroll in a AAA Membership. We have one, and it pays off every year.
Road Trips for Couples
With all of the preparation talk, let’s get to the fun part. We will share some great ideas for road trips you and your partner can take together.
Best Road Trips for Couples in the U.S.
We’ve taken or researched each of these with couples in mind—think scenic drives, cozy towns, and memory-making moments.
1. Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys- Miami to Key West, stop in each key
2. Tour the Blue Ridge Parkway in the NC Mountains to Virginia
3. Pacific Coast Highway in California
4. Great River Road Minnesota to Louisiana
5. Outer Banks Scenic Byway Starting by Ferry in NC- The BEST Coastal Road Trip!
6. Route 66 drive from Chicago to Santa Monica
7. Boston to Acadia National Park
8. Grand Canyon National Park from Vegas, New Mexico, or Phoenix
9. Parke County Covered Bridge Capital of the World
10. Highway 1 San Luis Obispo Drive
11. Capitol Reef National Park in Utah from Phoenix
12. Highway 97/Alaska Highway
13. To the U.S. Center Chapel- smack in the middle of the United States
14. Take a drive through Joshua Tree National Park, then head to Palm Springs, then Idyllwild.
15. Drive through Branson, Missouri and take in all the the Ozarks have to offer.
Romantic International Road Trips for Couples
Looking to take your road trip adventures abroad? These international routes are perfect for couples who crave scenic drives, cultural experiences, and unforgettable moments far from home.
1. The Wild Atlantic Way- take in views of the scenic coast of Ireland
2. The Garden Route in South Africa
3. Ring Road in Iceland to take in glaciers and black sand beaches
4. The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
5. The Romantic Road in Germany
6. The Explorers Way through Red Centre in Australia
7. The Atlantic Way in Norway
8. Southern Scenic Way in New Zealand
9. Carretera Austral in the Aysén region of Chile
10. The Yukon Territory offers several road trips from Dempster Highway, Southern Lakes, and Whitehorse to Dawson City.
Know Before You Go: Road Trip for Couples
- Everything is planned and packed—but don’t forget to decide on how you’ll enjoy your time in the car. After all, you’re gonna be cooped up together for hours, and the last thing you want is to end up fighting and ruining the trip. Fun games, playlists, and discussions you should have- plan to have some backups, especially on road trips for couples.
- Consider any stops at any national parks you run across. The same goes for any state park. You will not regret it! It’s fun to check them off of a list, too!
- Make sure to allow for mistakes. Remember, it’s all part of a memorable couple’s road trip!
If you already have a road trip planned, you may want to read How to Find the Most Scenic Rides on Your Travels.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Wear comfortable clothing, bring pillows and blankets, and stop regularly to stretch and move around. Keep snacks and water handy.
Plan a mix of activities but leave room for downtime and spontaneity. Don’t over-schedule; enjoy the journey as much as the destinations.
As we say, with all travel, be smart and use common sense. Ensure your car is in good condition, know your route, have emergency contacts and supplies, and be aware of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar areas. Having a check-in person not on your trip who knows your route and expects a check-in call here and there is a great idea.
