Dreaming of the perfect road trip or vacation, but not keen on following a standard travel itinerary from a travel agency? Good news: you can plan your ideal trip completely by yourself, simply by using free mapping tools! Even if you’re not a GIS expert, you can easily map out your own adventure. 🎉
Here, we’ll guide you through how to do it, step-by-step.
Step1: Choosing a mapping app 🗺️
To begin, you need a tool with a base map. Unless you are a GIS expert with access to tools like ArcGIS from ESRI, you probably will choose a tool that is free of charge. You don’t need expensive software to create your travel itinerary. Plenty of free tools are perfect for planning your adventure.
Our tips:
⭐ Google MyMaps is super easy to use, and you can share your map with friends!
⭐ Maps.me works offline and is based on the open-source OpenStreetMap.
Start by choosing the country or region you want to explore. Then dive into travel guides, blogs, or even just browse the map itself to spot interesting places to visit.
Step 2: Pin your favorite spots on the map📍
Time to mark your hotspots! Use your app to add your favorite locations and give them fun icons or colors.
💡 Pro tip: Organize your spots into categories to keep things clear! For example:
- Type of location: Beach, nature park, city, museum, or adrenaline activity 🎢
- Length of visit: Quick stop (just a photo break), a few hours, or a full day!
- Priority: Must-see (100% visiting), nice-to-have, or ‘maybe if we have time.’
Don’t forget to include useful details like opening hours or entry fees. This way, you’ll avoid surprises on your trip!
Step 3: Plan your route 🗓️
Have you marked all your dream spots? Awesome! Now it’s time to map out your ideal route.
Consider these tips:
✅ Smart order, so you avoid unnecessary driving back and forth.
✅ Where you’ll stay overnight 🏕️
✅ Possible stops for lunch breaks or scenic viewpoints 🥪🌄
By visualizing your entire route on the map, you’ll instantly see if your plans are realistic. It’s easy to adjust the route or skip less exciting stops, keeping your adventure fun and flexible!
Conclusion: Why plan your trip yourself?
Although self-planning a trip requires time and effort, it offers several advantages:
💡 You get to know your destination much better.
💡 You choose exactly what you want to see, no wasting time on less interesting spots.
💡 You save money by skipping package prices for standard tours.
And who knows… If you end up enjoying this, you might even dive deeper into GIS tools later! That opens up endless possibilities, not just for travel but for many other cool projects too.
So grab your maps app, call your friends, and start planning your adventure! 🚙✨
