Road trip planning for the people doing the driving

Map apps are optimistic. They don't know you'll stop for lunch, get gas twice, and take the scenic exit someone saw on a sign. A realistic road trip plan starts with fewer miles per day than you think, and a clear idea of who's driving which stretch.

This section covers route planning, rental car rules and fees, fuel and toll budgets, where to break a long drive, and the laws that change when you cross into another state, from speed limits to how seriously a DUI is treated. We also write for families, because a road trip with kids runs on a different clock.

Future stories will cover how to start planning a road trip and the advice we'd give first-timers. Our first road trip guides are still being written; the list below follows campground and road travel coverage from Green Global Travel.