24 Tips to Road Trip Alone as a Female

How to Road Trip Alone as a Female Traveler

Traveling on a road trip alone as a female isn’t as scary as you may think! Never let fear hold you back from getting out there and exploring.

That being said, I remember being scared during my first trip. I had heard stories and didn’t know what would happen to me. Never fear though, you can prepare yourself for the unexpected so you can enjoy traveling on your own. I definitely believe that everyone needs to go on at least one solo trip during their lives!

Is it safe to be a solo female traveler?

I got asked this question a lot when I would tell friends and family my plans to hit the road on my own. The short answer is yes, it’s safe. Just like anything in life, there is an inherent risk. But there are things that you can do to help you stay protected while you travel.

So let’s go over some tips to get you out on the road and keep you safe while exploring!

1. Plan in advance and do your research

This is a good tip for any trip you plan on taking, but especially if you’re out on your own. Having a plan will keep you from looking lost and making a target of yourself. It will also help you to feel confident on your travels.

Some people do well planning out every minute of every day. I found that for my longer trips, this just wasn’t feasible. If I needed to create a new plan, I would try to do so in a place I was a little more familiar with.

That said, never be afraid to change your plans to fit your needs!

2. Get your vehicle road ready

Before heading out on the open road, ensure your car is ready for the trip. I would suggest bringing your vehicle to a trusted mechanic and having them check it all out.

You can also do some easy repairs while on the road, like changing your air cabin filter. It may be a good idea to learn some basic car maintenance so you can keep your vehicle running while you travel.

3. Share your location and travel plans with trusted family and friends

I always try to keep trusted individuals alerted to where I will be in case of an emergency. If something happens to me, these people will know how to get me help.

Not only do I share where I’m going, but I also share the location of my phone so that my trusted people can keep track of my location in real time if something should happen. This is especially helpful when I go on hikes.

Your safety is your top priority when you road trip alone as a female.

4. Don’t let people know you’re traveling alone

No one you meet needs to know that you’re alone. In fact, I would suggest getting in the habit of saying “we” when you talking about your trip.

“We visited the Grand Canyon.”

“We bought groceries today.”

“We’re headed toward the California coast.”

It may be untrue, but it will keep you safe because people will assume you’re traveling with others. Good. That’s what you want! No one is going to be upset because you lied to them. The goal is that strangers never know!

Extra tip: If you have a public social media account, don’t post where you are or where you’re going. Even if it’s private, it may not be a good idea to share live precisely where you’re located.

5. Utilize travel apps

I have a folder of useful apps on my phone that help me travel safely and effectively.

• iOverlander: A great app to look at potential places to stay, especially if you plan on doing some boondocking and stealth camping.
• Rest Stops: Yes, it’s an app. It has info for all of the US rest areas you’ll find on your travels.
• Campendium: This app is another good one to help you find locations to stay. I typically use this one if I’m looking for a paid campsite.
• Google Maps: I love the ability to save locations into a list. It helps me to plan out where I want to go and keep notes of things to know.
• All Trails: If you’re into hiking, this is the app for you. You can also just use their website!

6. Avoid walking around after dark

I don’t want to be out by myself when it’s dark outside. Although the weather may be nicer, a dark stroll in an unfamiliar area isn’t worth it.

This doesn’t mean I don’t do things at night, though! I make sure I’m in well-lit, well-populated areas.

Make a plan not to walk around at night. This may mean planning more indoor activities during the months of the year when it gets darker earlier. Your safety is important though, and the goal is to enjoy your road trip alone as a female traveler, not live in fear.

7. Have access and photos of important things (like your ID)

This is to help you plan ahead for the future, just in case you lose your ID or are without it for any reason. You never know what will happen on the road.

I also have photos of my dog’s prescription for her food and other important documents I want to have on me at all times.

8. Change up your routine

This is especially important if you’re staying in an area for a longer period of time. People may begin to notice your routine and that you’re alone when you’re out and about. If there’s a cafe I like going to, I make sure that I try to find another one close by or that I don’t go in at the same time.

Being unpredictable is a great tool to keep you safe when you go on a road trip alone as a female traveler.

9. Pay attention to your surroundings

Another good life advice tip, but it’s essential when you’re traveling on your own. It’s always good to know what’s going on around you.

Take note of places that may not be the safest, locations where lots of people are, and the feeling you get while in the area.

Again, don’t be predictable, and try to look like you always know where you’re going.

10. Pay extra attention to the surroundings of where you’re staying for the night

Again, nighttime isn’t scary, but it’s a time of day when you need to be a little more alert. If you’re picking a location to sleep, you want somewhere safe since you won’t be awake to be alert to everything going on.

If possible, I like to scope out my locations during the daytime. That way, I get a good sense of the area.

I also try not to leave my vehicle once I pull in. This is because I sleep in my SUV, and I don’t want others to know.

Remember, stealth can be key to keeping you safe.

11. Trust your instincts

There’s something to be said about how our instincts keep us safe. Don’t doubt them. Leave if you don’t feel good about the area you’re in. Staying is never worth risking your safety.

12. Carry protective items

When I travel solo, I never want to be without the things that keep me safe. These items don’t have to be weapons, but they should help you to feel protected when on your own.

Some great things to have on hand are pepper spray, a heavy-duty flashlight, and some alarm you can trigger that is loud and scares off others.

Only carry something you feel comfortable using. You’ll feel a lot more confident on your road trip alone as a female traveler with gear that is aimed at keeping your protected!

13. Have a plan for when you feel unsafe

Planning ahead will keep you safe as a solo female traveler. This includes having backup locations to sleep at or maybe a different activity when it’s dark outside.

If you ever feel like you’re in an unsafe situation, be ready to call 911 and look for an escape route to get yourself out of danger.

14. Allow your plans to be flexible

Things happen when you’re out on the road. Don’t be afraid when you have to change things. That’s part of the journey. If you need to change plans for safety reasons or simply because something didn’t work out, don’t sweat it!

This is why I love to plan out more things than I can feasibly have time for in an area. These plans serve as a good backup or reason to arrange another trip.

15. Always keep your gas tank half full

Running out of gas in the dark on a deserted street sounds like a nightmare. You can keep it from happening by continually filling up when your car hits the halfway mark.

You never know when you’re going to be on a long stretch of road with 0 gas stations.

16. Download offline maps

Cell service isn’t everywhere. Did you know that you can download maps for offline use on the Google Maps app? Because you can, and it comes in handy!

I love doing this for hikes. It helps me to find the trails when I get a little turned around. It’s also great to have when you’re boondocking in national forests or public lands.

17. Have multiple ways to keep your devices charged

Your devices keep you connected to others while you’re on the road. You want to ensure that your phone always has enough charge when you’re a solo traveler.

Bring things like battery packs and fast-charging cables to help with this. I also have multiple car charger ports plugged in so that I can keep my battery packs and devices topped off on my long drives.

18. Invest in a roadside assistance service

I’ve never had to use my roadside assistance, but it’s been such a relief to have it! I know that if I run into a rough patch on my trip, I have someone who can be there to help.

I know it costs money, but this will save you a headache and stress in the long run. It’s always nice to know I can depend on a reliable service when traveling alone.

19. Travel with a dog

If it wasn’t obvious, this is how I travel the US as a solo female traveler. Luna goes with me everywhere, and I feel so much safer when she’s around.

Luna can pick up on things I miss and look out for me. She also alerts me if anything is off. I genuinely don’t feel alone with her as my exploring companion.

20. Carry Water and Snacks

Water and food are essential to any trip. Make sure you have plenty on you when you’re traveling alone. I typically kept a cooler and a few gallons of water in my car for my travels. That way, if anything went wrong, I would be set to go.

I also love a good snack.

21. Bring Entertainment

Going on a road trip alone means that you’ll have to entertain yourself. Thankfully, technology makes this easy.

Any time I’m in a place with free Wi-Fi, I make sure to download a few shows on my streaming platforms and load my Kindle with books to read. I also bring my ukelele to practice when I am alone in the woods.

22. Try out smaller trips

Your first adventure doesn’t have to be a four-month-long excursion. I highly recommend making shorter trips to start with. This will allow you to test your gear and get a feeling for what it will be like to travel alone without the stress of it lasting for months and months.

You’ll learn a lot on the short trips that you can use to help you feel even more confident on long adventures.

23. Be honest with yourself

When I’m road tripping on my own, I’m constantly checking in with myself to see how I’m feeling. If I know I’m beginning to become overwhelmed and stressed, I try to make plans to alleviate that. Sometimes that means driving fewer miles, and other times it means booking a place to stay for a few days where I can unwind and reset.

Have daily check-ins with how you’re feeling. It’s ok to not be ok some days. And it’s ok to take time to feel better.

24. Relax and enjoy the adventure

In the case of a solo road trip, the fun is in the journey and the destination. Don’t stress too much, and enjoy the time you have to explore.

Being able to explore on your own is not something everyone gets to do. Have fun making memories, and don’t forget to love the adventure that you’re on!