Making a Road Trip Planner

Whether you travel often or simply need a way to systematize your itinerary, financial statement information and memorabilia for an upcoming road trip, create a adaptable planner to hold everything you’ll need. A properly filled binder will make sure you don’t forget anything before, during and after your vacation. Use the following steps to make a road trip planner effective.

1. Purchase a d-ring binder or accordion file before you make a road trip planner. The dimension will decide how much you can include, as well as how convenient it will be to take with you. Choose an 8.5-by-11 binder or folder if you simply want to punch and add full-sized sheets or a half-pint binder (5.5-by-11) if you want to slip it into your tote.

2. Insert tabbed dividers into the journey planning guide. Think sections like “to do,” “route planner,” “activities,” “budget” and “memorabilia.” The original category can comprise packing lists, instructions for house sitters or reminders to have mail delivery stopped, for example. The route planner section can include maps, driving directions, lodging contact information and confirmation numbers and alternate plans in case you need to change your route.

3. Create a section for events, landmarks and activities that you want to experience on the road trip. Print information from the Internet or request brochures in advance to determine directions and hours of operation. Just consult that section of the road trip planner for instant information.

4. Stay on budget throughout the trip by pre-printing vacation budget worksheets to track and monitor your spending.

5. Add zippered pouches in the resources and memories sections to store receipts and pieces of ephemera from the vacation like business cards, brochures, local maps and postcards. If you’re using a smaller binder when you make a road trip planner, consider packing a plastic document holder to store memorabilia throughout the road trip and keep the items wrinkle free.