Travelling trips
Road trip: building a realistic route
The freedom of a journey by car is based on a solid preparation: realistic distances, suitable vehicle, well-placed accommodation and margin for detours.
Picture of illustration : Car on a panoramic road between sea and mountains
In brief
Road trips: is this the right choice?
The freedom of a journey by car is based on a solid preparation: realistic distances, suitable vehicle, well-placed accommodation and margin for detours.
- Ideal for
- A flexible itinerary with several stages and varied landscapes
- Point of vigilance
- Real distances, fatigue and rental conditions
- First comparison
- The vehicle, insurance and the full cost of the journey
Start well
Transforming inspiration into a project
A map can make two steps close while the road, breaks, controls or terrain greatly lengthen the journey. Calculate the days according to local conditions and avoid chaining long distances several days in a row.
The rental price is only part of the budget. Add insurance, deductible, additional driver, fuel, tolls, parking, possible abandonment fees and mandatory equipment.
Comparison points
The criteria that make the difference
These benchmarks allow you to exclude attractive photo options but not well suited to your dates, budget or way of travelling.
Daily distance
Alternate days of road and longer stages. A reasonable average leaves time for visits, meals, photos and unforeseen.
Adapted vehicle
Choose according to the routes actually planned, the volume of luggage and the conditions of the rental. An oversized vehicle can cost more without being useful.
Rental contract
Read mileage, franchise, exclusions, fuel, borders and tire condition. Photograph the vehicle on departure and return.
Emergency plan
Keep a time-space, a offline solution for navigation and contact details of useful accommodation or services.
Putting comparison into practice
Compare three rhythms for the same route
Before booking every night, take a test step and count driving, stops, visit and installation. Repeat the calculation on the most busy days.
Educational example of preparation, without commercial offer or testimony. Adapt the situations to your journey and to the answers of the competent interlocutors.
On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally to read the three columns. On the keyboard, use the arrows after selecting the array.
| Situation to be considered | What it involves | Information to be obtained |
|---|---|---|
| One night at each stop | Housing changes are common. | Add loading, departure, parking and reception at the hours of road. |
| Several nights per base | Some visits are on tour. | Compare return and leave the vehicle or luggage. |
| Shortened step | A visit or detour is withdrawn. | Identify the time recovered and the reservations that can be kept. |
How to use answers
Keep days compatible with the group and confirmed rental conditions. The mileage alone does not describe breaks, visits or fatigue of the route.
Selection Azatour
Destinations to compare
Each guide provides a route, seasonal landmarks, practical advice and links to official sources.
Southern AfricaNamibiaPrepare a trip to Namibia: Namib Desert, Etosha, Atlantic Coast, route, driving, season and check before booking.
Read the guide →
North AmericaUnited StatesPrepare a trip to the United States: choice of region, duration, itinerary, transportation, season and check-in before booking flights and accommodation.
Read the guide →
Central AmericaCosta RicaPlan a trip to Costa Rica: volcanoes, forests, coasts, parks, season, car, itinerary and practical tips before booking.
Read the guide →
North AfricaMoroccoPrepare a trip to Morocco: Marrakech, Atlas, coast, desert, season, transport, itinerary and useful advice before booking.
Read the guide →
Europe · MediterraneanItalyPlan a trip to Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice, regions, trains, season, itinerary and advice before booking transport and accommodation.
Read the guide →
Southern EuropeSpainPlan a trip to Spain: Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, islands, trains, season, itinerary and advice before booking.
Read the guide →Before comparing
The checklist
A few simple checks avoid that an attractive fare leads to a trip that is poorly rhythmic or more expensive than expected.
- 01
First draw the necessary steps, then remove those that impose excessive detours.
- 02
Check traffic restrictions, tolls, decals and parking in each major city.
- 03
Reserve rare accommodations and keep more flexibility in well-equipped areas.
- 04
Download maps, confirmations and assistance numbers before areas with little coverage.
Choose between several tracks
Compare destinations in this folder
Durations are editorial suggestions. Confront the experiences sought and the mobility constraints to your available time, then open the sheet to check the region and season.
| Destination | Duration envisaged | Experiences | Mobility to be foreseen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 12 to 21 days | The Namib Desert · Etosha and Wildlife · The Atlantic Coast | Choose the vehicle according to the intended tracks, not according to the road trip image. Check tires, spare wheel, assistance, franchises and exclusions on unpaved roads. |
| United States | 7 to 21 days by region | Large cities · Parks and landscapes · The road as a journey | Read insurance, additional driver, tolls and abandonment fees. In large cities, a car can cost more than it saves time. |
| Costa Rica | 10-18 days | Arenal and inland forests · Parks and animal observation · Pacific or Caribbean | Choose according to the roads and season. Check mandatory insurance, franchise, tires, assistance and restrictions on tracks or river crossings. |
| Morocco | 5-14 days | Marrakech beyond the souks · Atlas and valleys · Coast or desert | Compare train, driver and rental. For the car, read insurance, deposit, vehicle condition and fuel policy, and avoid too long steps after night. |
| Italy | 5-14 days | Cities d'art · A regional Italy · Train as a driving thread | It is useful in the countryside but binding in the historical centers. Check restricted traffic areas, tolls, parking, deductible and restitution rules. |
| Spain | 5-14 days | Monumental Andalusia · Madrid and the center · Catalonia, North or islands | The train effectively connects the big cities. Rent a car for villages and rural areas, by controlling parking and traffic restrictions. |
Encrypt options with your quote → · Prepare for verifications →
A decision that changes the stay
A loop circuit or a restitution somewhere else?
The route avoided must be compared with abandonment costs, last day transport and return places. Ask for road and border restrictions before paying for a suitable vehicle only in appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Road trips: preparing your project
How many kilometers per day do you plan on road trip?
There is no universal rule. The type of road, stops and brightness count more than the gross distance. Plan regular days without changing accommodation.
Should we take all the assurances from the landlord?
Compare the guarantees already included in the contract, your credit card and your personal insurance. Check above all the deductibles, exclusions and advance terms of the fees.
Can we book the hotels at the last minute?
This depends on the season and the scarcity of supply. Parks, islands, deserts and small towns may require early booking, unlike major urban axes.
How can we avoid a route that is too heavy?
Count the changes in accommodation and not just the kilometers. If almost every morning starts with luggage and departure, reduce the number of steps.
Compare other desires
Two other ways to imagine the journey
Changing the starting point can reveal a simpler destination, better suited to the season or more consistent with your budget.
Continue
Compare the journey as a whole
Test several dates, then check the flight, accommodation, transfers, activities and cancellation conditions.
Editorial file updated on .