I love writing in a road trip travel journal to keep a record of the memories I make during a trip. But as I learned on my first couple trips, just recounting each day can be a dull experience as a writer and as a reader. So I went looking for road trip specific travel journal writing prompts and found nothing. That’s why I researched and created this list of road trip writing prompts, all specific to the road trip experience. Using theses, I’ve capture all the depth and oddity that each road trip contains. And I can go back to each journal and immediately be transported to the road. Here are my 20 unique road trip travel journal writing prompts:
1. What I’m most excited to see on this road trip is…
If you’ve planned a good road trip, there are going to be many stops to look forward to. Nevertheless, there is usually that one that you’re really looking forward to. I like to write a bit about this place and why I’m looking forward to it before I go on the trip, then once I go I can look back and compare the actual experience to how I thought it was going to be, which is always fascinating.
2. My favorite stop on the trip was…
This is a great prompt to do at the end of your trip, as a reflection. Often my favorite stop on the trip is unexpected and sometimes very ordinary. It’s fun to capture this info as you return and reflect on your trip. It can teach you something about yourself and inform your next strip.
3. I picked this road trip route because…
With so many road trip routes to choose from, especially in the United States, each road trip route is personal. Ask yourself, why did you choose this route for you? Have you always wanted to see the Grand Canyon so its more of a destination trip? Or have you always wanted to drive up Highway One in California to see the beautiful scenic views? Whatever it is, writing down why you picked your route is a great thing to capture in your travel journal to learn more about yourself and to make sure you’re taking it all.
4. Something that made me smile or laugh today was…
Road trips are full of unexpected, small moments. That’s one reason I love to take them with my family or loved ones. There are bound to be funny moments that happen, either in the car, or out in an unusual place. Capture the moment in just a few sentences each day or write down the full story, with all of the details. You’ll be so glad you did. Plus, with these memories fresh in your mind and travel journal, you can use these to tell people back home about your trip. A funny story is always a great thing to share!
5.The songs I’m listening to and books I’m reading are…
When I go on a road trip, music and books are a big part of it. Since I’m in the car, the radio is a big part. Sometimes I’ll make a playlist, depending on who I’m taking the trip with or other times, if I’m taking the trip with others, we’ll take turns choosing music. Either way, those songs always become linked with the trip and just hearing them later makes me think of the time on the road. This same things happen with books, the stories and characters become linked to the trip. I love this, and I never want to forget theses sense memories, so I always record them in my road trip travel journal.
6. My favorite meal I’ve had on the road so far is…
Ah, road food. Sometimes it’s amazing, sometimes it’s inedible, sometimes its just the comfort of fast food that reminds you of home or just so you can have something quick! Trying new foods on road trips is a must for me. And the bad and good, always go in my travel journal.
7. A roadside attraction I really enjoyed was…
I believe there are two types of people, those who know the joy and hilarity of roadside attractions and those who have yet to learn. I use to be in the later camp, but I’m glad to say I’ve since reformed. Roadside attractions are so ridiculous and odd, they make great travel memories. And so I don’t forget any details, I always write about them in my travel journal.
8. One thing I noticed that’s different from this place than my home is…
This is a great daily prompt or one to do when you arrive at each new location. I travel so I can get out of my comfort zone a bit so I like to take some time and notice what’s the same and what’s different about each location I’m in. Sometimes it’s how a person speaks, an accent or different words they use, and other times it’s the weather. I use this prompt to quickly jot down these things I notice and then I go back later to reflect on them.
9. One new thing I saw today…
This is a great daily prompt to do to winde down and reflect in the evening. We’re always seeing new things when we travel, often that’s the point. So it’s fun to capture those moments. I remember the first time I saw a buffalo up close in the Arbuckle Wilderness in rural Oklahoma. I was terrified and amazed, and I’ll never forget it.
10. Something I thought I’d enjoy but I didn’t… Unfortunately, there are always those places that we thought were going to be fantastic, and then they weren’t. It’s disappointing but also makes for a great journal entry. Write about what you thought a certain place was going to be like and then your actual experience. If nothing else this will remind you that you don’t need to go back!
11. Something I thought I wouldn’t enjoy but I did was…This is also a common experience on a road trip. And I’m so glad it is! I love to have the experience of being surprised by a place. And when I do, I always use this writing prompt to record it in my travel journal.
12. Something I want to bring home with me, but I can’t is…
Even though you can usually buy more souviners on a road trip, since you can store it in you car, there are always those things that I want but are either too big, too expensive or too impractical to bring home. This is dissappointing, but I always try and write about it in my travel journal so at least I can remeber it.
13. One unexpected thing I saw/experienced today was…
I use my travel journal to help me pay attention, to really notice new things on a road trip. For that reason, this prompt is great to help me keep paying attention and looking for unexpected experiences. And when I’m looking, I usually find them.
14. Describe the scene around you right now…
Remember the childhood road trip games of ‘spot the license plate?’ This is kind of the adult version of that. When you’re in the car, if you’re not driving, spend some time looking around at the landscape and writing down what you see. Are you driving through a sea of trees? Or next to the actual sea? Try to use all these senses to really describe what’s passing by through your window.
15. How do I feel different now than at home…
The experience of being away from home is one I enjoy about traveling. And especially on road trips, as I drive farther and farther from my home, I start to feel lighter, more adventurous, more playful. It’s not always immediately evident to me, so I like to have this prompt ready to help me reflect and capture this feeling as it’s unfolding.
16. One thing I’m really going to miss about road tripping is…
By the time I’m heading home, I’m usually ready to be back sleeping in my own bed. That’s a successful trip to me. But there are always those things I know I’m going to miss that I like to capture in my travel journal that I can look back on as I’m getting settled back into normal life.
17. One thing I bought that I love is…
Sometimes my favorite souviners ona road trip are from truck stops. You can find some wild things! Other times its a beautiful piece of furniture from an antique mall I happened upon. That’s what’s so fun about road trips, often you can buy bigger souviners since you don’t just have a suitcase, you have a car! Whatever it is, I want to remember where and when I bought each thing and why I bought it. This prompt is perfect for capturing these memories.
18. I would/wouldn’t recommend this road trip route to a friend…
When you return home or at the end of the trip this is a great prompt to use to reflect. Was it all you hoped? Was it planned well? We’re there too many stops? Not enough? All of this is helpful information that’s great to capture in your journal as your trip comes to an end.
19. One thing I really want to happen on this trip is…
This is a great prompt to use before the trip. Do you want to sink into that relaxed space? Do you want to connect with your family more? Write down a few of your desires and as you’re on their trip, you can use this prompt to make sure those things do happen.
20. One thing I want to include on my next road trip is…
The end of one trip is a great time to record any thoughts of ideas of how you’d want to change your next trip. Was there something missing from this one that you wish you’d included? Use this prompt to help you plan your next trip.
I hope this list has some prompts you’re excited to try out on your next road trip. When you do, leave a comment about how they worked for you or any new ideas I can add to the list. Happy traveling!