In addition to a lot of the other suggestions:

Throw in the car 3 or 4 old bath towels -- they come in handy for so many things & they can be used as an 'anti-burglary cover' for restaurant stops, and for people like us who don't unpack our car every night.

We love to listen to NPR, so I get a list of all the stations' call numbers for the areas we'll be travelling. Easier than using the Scan button.

We rarely make reservations in advance, except for popular spots. For us, the whole point of a road trip is to be spontaneous.

As much as we enjoy back roads, I advise you to be be careful, esp. in the winter. The recent Kim family tragedy is a reminder that things can happen to anybody, and even Google maps can be fatally misleading.

You are going to have a blast! Road trips are the best!

Thank you for so many more ideas. Yes, we should have a great trip.

<< Oh, and don't ever, ever, ever leave anything in the trunk if you want to see it again. >>

Good advice.

My friends took a driving trip to San Francisco and spent a day shopping for Christmas gifts. They had dinner then returned to the hotel. That evening someone broke into their trunk and took everything -- including the gifts and cameras.

Woody

I drove Indiana to California in the July heat wave. My favorite was my emergency blankets fastened to the back door and easy to pull to the front windshield. It keep the car interior cool from the sun, and the shadeing made a more comfortable enviroment, easier on the eyes. I stayed at Hampton Inns and they helped me plan my next stop and made sure I had a room ahead. Also, they were very gracious allowing me to show my Hilton Honors card to the front desk and relax for a bit to check/send emails through out the day no matter where I was with their wireless connection in the lobby. The York Nebraska's new Hampton Inn was just opening when I was there and it is fabulous perfect place to stop with everything right there. Being from CA Emergency Supplies are mandatory to be self sufficent. Food/water/meds/matches/thermo hot-cold/auto/hygine/RestStop just in case, etc. I too take a nice wine glass,cup/mug, silverware and cutlery and favorite seasonings, scented candle, bathrobe, Laundry good to wash out anytime I want, a Smith&Wesson multi tool sizzors. A new CD I loved was the perfect soundtrack and instantly takes me back when I listen now. The Hampton gives USA Today, I saved the weather page each day for my scrapbook. Oh, check in here every day for local recomendation 'must-see' where you are.
Relax and really take it all in, our country is magnificent! I avoided traffic by making sure I was on the outside with the city behind me at night to head out comfy the next morning. Wow, I'm have too much fun remembering my month long adventure and can't wait to drive again!!!!! Traveling alone, For fun and companionship I got a mini stuffed puppy toy I photographed everywhere. You are welcome to visit my album if you sign my guest book. www.pbase.com/mrskbg/galleries Hope this helps!