Should I Quit Law School so I can Travel the World?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

I Plan to Take My 9-Year-Old Daughter to Ecuador. Is it Safe? Any Tips?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

I’m Worried About Food Safety Overseas. Any Tips for Staying Healthy?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

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Tim Patterson packs his fleece and long underwear, and enters the Twilight Zone where corporate branding meets the multilayered reality of place. 

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Have a Hockey Night in Canada

From Montreal to Sault Ste. Marie, the sport is the country’s greatest passion. Eva Holland explains where to go to indulge—and who you need to know.

Promised Land Closed

And other odd and unlikely signs from around the world. Aficionado Doug Lansky, editor of the book “Signspotting,” recounts his 10 favorites.

10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis Bacon

Rolf Potts repackages the 17th century philosopher’s ‘Of Travel’ essay in the manner of a 21st century magazine feature

What Items Should I Bring on a Summer Road Trip?

Dear Rolf,

I plan to take a road trip around the U.S. during the summer of my sophomore or junior year of college. I plan to go alone but might take one friend. I want everything that I bring to fit in the car and still not be cumbersome. What are the items that you think I would absolutely need? Also, any money-related tips? I plan to drive the whole way.

--Andrew

Dear Andrew,

Your summer road trip sounds like a great plan! My first vagabonding journey was an eight-month road trip in the U.S., and it was an amazing experience.

The secret to packing is to pack as little as possible. Seriously, be hard on yourself. Take only what you will absolutely need, not things that might only come in handy. Bring a few changes of clothes, some camping gear (stove, tent, sleeping bag, sleep pad, etc.), some footwear, some road music, some toiletries, and that’s it. Maybe a guidebook or two. Maybe a laptop, for keeping a journal or staying in touch via wireless Internet. Past that, most everything you need you can buy on the way (and you won’t need much).

As for money, bring very little with you, and just reload as you need to via ATMs. Keep track of your balance, of course, but don’t over-plan your finances. Just go cheap.

And of course the best way to save money on the American road is to camp (or crash with friends) and cook your own meals whenever you can. Motels and restaurants can really strain your budget, so go DIY when you can.

Columnist Rolf Potts is the author of Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel.

Send your questions to . If you want to know whether Rolf has already answered your questions, see the Ask Rolf archive.

Related on World Hum:
* Oprah Winfrey, Amanda Congdon and the New Golden Age of the Cross-Country Road Trip
* Matt Gross: Road Tripping Across America, Frugally

I think it was you i heard on public radio this week, and one of the topics that came up was a web site you mentioned where people offer their houses for stays. At the time you were in South Dakota I believe and took questions on the radio.

What is the website for house stays or the organization to look up for this as a cheap alternative for travel?

What was the station you were on and is it archived to re-listen to?

thanks,
kathy

Hit up an Army surplus store and get the essentials that you’ll need living off cooked canned food, instead of Taco Bell drive-thru