A beginner's guide to selecting hotels along your journey.

One of my all-time favorite road trips is the drive from Austin to Big Bend National Park. The transformation from bustling city life to stunning, open desert always invigorates my spirit.

For me, planning trips like this involves more than just locating hotels along the way; it's a methodical journey.

Determine your stopovers, whether they’re local sights or dining spots. Book your accommodations in advance, and explore various lodging options like motels or bed-and-breakfasts when hotels aren't available.

With Dinogo's travel tools, including the Trip Calculator and mobile app, you can streamline this process while enjoying loyalty perks and discounts. The app also allows you to view your travel plans offline.

Let's explore further.

Prepare in advance for a seamless trip

In the world of road-tripping, striking the right balance between planning and spontaneity is essential.

You have your destination in mind, but planning your route and stopovers will save you a lot of time (and reduce stress).

For the best route, aim to keep daily driving hours to a minimum—it’s more enjoyable to take breaks and explore along the way.

If your vacation time allows, limit your driving to five or six hours each day.

When it comes to lodging, consider staying in small to mid-sized towns for better prices, or choose cities if you want to be close to attractions and dining options.

Reserve your accommodations

After mapping out your route, it’s time to start booking, especially during peak travel seasons or in high-traffic tourist locations.

Some hotels, motels, and campgrounds can fill up months in advance, leaving you without a place to stay.

Trust me—I’ve experienced the frustration of not booking accommodations on road trips (more often than I’d like to admit), only to find myself needing to sleep in my car for the night.

To prevent this, ensure you confirm all your reservations ahead of time. A month in advance is usually sufficient for less popular destinations, but for busier areas, consider booking three to four months ahead.

Explore local attractions

As you plan your accommodations, it’s a great opportunity to map out your stops in each town. Research and note down the spots you want to visit.

For example, during my road trip from Austin to Big Bend, I always grab coffee and tacos in Fredericksburg, visit art galleries in Marfa, and stay at my beloved bed-and-breakfast in Marathon before heading to the park.

I also make sure to pack a cooler with water and snacks, as there aren’t many dining options between Fredericksburg and Marfa. I prefer saving my appetite for dinner in Marfa, which boasts an unexpectedly excellent culinary scene despite being in the heart of the West Texas desert.

Pack wisely

This highlights another important tip: always bring a cooler to keep your snacks and drinks chilled between meal stops, especially if you find yourself in an area with limited food options.

Make sure to pack all the essentials for your journey to avoid unnecessary stops. This includes a basic first-aid kit, jumper cables, a spare tire, and a phone charger.

Smart packing minimizes unnecessary stops and ensures a smooth road trip experience.

Make the most of Dinogo tools

If you need assistance planning your route and securing the best accommodations, Dinogo offers some of the most useful tools available.

Dinogo’s Map allows you to locate lodging options near your route. You can read reviews to determine which hotel fits your needs best. Sign up for Price Alert to stay informed about price changes for your chosen hotels and receive tailored alerts for your road trip destinations and dates.

Another valuable resource for your road trip preparations is Dinogo’s Trip Calculator, which helps you estimate your travel expenses.

With that in mind, always set a budget before you hit the road to have a clear idea of your expenses and avoid running out of money during your travels.

Look into the amenities and services offered by hotels along your route

When searching for the best hotels along your journey, it’s essential to create a list of amenities and services that matter most to you.

For instance, if you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to confirm that the hotel is family-friendly. If you need to work while away, high-speed Wi-Fi (and possibly a business center or at least an in-room desk) is essential.

Additional amenities to consider include free parking, closeness to attractions you wish to visit, flexible check-in and check-out hours, laundry facilities, and nearby or on-site dining options.

If you’re traveling with pets, confirm that your hotel is pet-friendly. Some pet-friendly hotels allow dogs and cats to stay at no extra charge or for a minimal fee.

During your hotel search, leverage Dinogo's filters to find hotels that offer the amenities and services you need.

You can choose options like 'Freebies' for free internet and parking, 'Amenities' for pet-friendliness, or the 'Style' of the hotel, such as family-oriented.

Believe me, this will save you a lot of time and effort.

Utilize the Dinogo mobile app

To minimize stress during your trip, consider using a travel app that lets you search across hundreds of travel sites at once, access your travel plans offline, and take advantage of exclusive mobile-only offers.

Dinogo’s comprehensive Mobile App enables you to do all this and more.

Another useful feature of this app is the option to save searches to your “Wishlist,” allowing you to receive alerts when the best prices are available for booking.

Explore alternative lodging options

So, what should you do if there are no hotels along your route? Or if you didn’t book far enough in advance? You have a few options in this scenario (and having a backup plan is always a smart move).

Motels and bed-and-breakfasts serve as excellent alternatives to traditional hotels. For a budget-friendly choice, campgrounds are commonly available in most areas.

Motels

You'll find numerous motels along the highways, making them very convenient for road travelers. Just remember that most motels are basic, offering few to no amenities.

Nonetheless, they are typically affordable and often provide free or discounted parking. If you're away for an extended period, staying at motels can help you save a lot.

Look for reputable chains with positive reviews, as they usually maintain the highest standards for cleanliness and service.

B&Bs

Bed-and-breakfasts are another excellent choice while traveling. These are typically homes or small lodgings that include a home-cooked breakfast in the room rate.

The greatest advantage of staying at a bed-and-breakfast is the focus on personalized service. You can expect a warm welcome from staff who are usually eager to offer local tips and recommendations.

Campgrounds

Lastly, campgrounds can be both convenient and budget-friendly if you're open to the idea. The best approach is to research campgrounds near your intended destinations or ask locals for suggestions once you arrive.

If you plan to spend the night at a campground, ensure that overnight stays are permitted, that the area is safe, and that you can leave whenever you need to.

Conclusion

Crafting the perfect road trip takes effort. Instead of just arriving at a destination and hoping to find accommodations, it's wise to plan your route and reserve hotels in advance. For the best hotel booking and trip planning, utilize tools like Dinogo’s Trip Calculator, Hotel Map, search filters, and the mobile app.

Need to rent a car? Explore Dinogo’s car rental guide to discover how to find the best rental prices and understand various insurance options.

If you found this article helpful, be sure to explore the road trip guide for more tips and hacks that can enhance your next adventure.

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