for a road trip, I personally love the idea of adding randomness to a holiday so that one day you’ll just feel like doing something and go and do it. When I travelled across Australia we generally slpet in tents during the trip, woke up early because of the sun, and went to bed early because we would struggle to cook and pitch tents in the dark. One night though we slept on the beach and another night we snuck into a hostel and slept there, I like to take a few risks and though you may end up with problems you certainly get experience. It is always tough being stuck in a close environment with people for a long time, you can’t all get your way so it does become tiring, hope you find some mojo for the rest of the trip.

Instead of moving on every day, stay for a while in a place that’s interesting.

The way you’re describing it, it kind of sounds like work.

Maybe a town has an interesting thing going on that you’d want to hang around for. Maybe there’s some interesting thing to check out like some caves or a historical site. I’d stay in one place for 3 – 4 days before moving on.

Hope you find a good solution to make your trip as enjoyable as you’d hoped it would be!

used to take months long road trips twice a year during the off seasons from our seasonal jobs.

The most enjoyable times I ever had were the times when we had no expectations and no schedules and I was just able to let go of everything and see what the day brought. If we found ourselves in a place we really liked, we would stay for a while and explore. Each day was directed by our feelings.

With most things, expectations ruin your appreciate of the reality. The American road trip is such a mythic experience that people often approach it with huge expectations of what it should be.

Best wishes for you as you continue your journey.

You might want to skip the hotels/motels and try couchsurfing.

I second what others have said above: your trip sounds like everything is too planned and rigid. Stay for a couple of days (or longer) when you find a place you enjoy. If your plan is too ambitious, skip some of the places – I know (in my experience) I’d rather see a FEW places well than skim over the surface of LOTS of places. If there is a bit too much, um, togetherness in the group, suggest a day for solo exploration (again, I know I need this after a few days of traveling with family or a large group, sometimes even with my boyfriend!)

Also, if the blogging, writing, taking pictures, etc. seems like a chore, don’t do it. Take it all in with your senses. Write about it later, if and when you feel like it. Some of my own most memorable travel experiences are only in my mind – not written or photographed in any way. :)

I hope you get your travel mojo back and enjoy this experience!

_{P.S. And if all else fails, know that you’ll probably look back on this and love it. Things like this are sometimes better appreciated in retrospect!}

You’re heading to some great cities. The east coast will definitely cheer you up: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. There’s more US history in these cities than the rest of the country.