Planning a road trip soon?
Between packing, keeping the kids entertained, remembering the hotel info, and figuring out where to stop for snacks, things can get overwhelming fast. If you’re already feeling like you’re going to forget something, you’re not wrong.
That’s exactly why a bullet journal can help.
A road trip bullet journal gives you one place to keep everything organized. You can use it to plan your route, track your budget, list out what to pack, and even save space for the little memories you want to remember later. It doesn’t need to be pretty. It just needs to work.
You don’t need fancy markers or perfect handwriting to make this helpful. A pen and a few simple page layouts are enough to make the entire trip feel smoother. Whether you’re driving solo, juggling kids, or trying to keep things on budget, setting up a few bullet journal pages before you hit the road can save you a lot of stress along the way.
Here are the road trip journal page ideas that make planning easier, keep your trip more organized, and help you enjoy the ride.
What to Include in Your Road Trip Bullet Journal
If this is your first time using a bullet journal for a trip, don’t overthink it. It doesn’t need to look perfect or take hours to set up.
The goal is to make your trip easier, not more work. You just need a few pages that help you stay organized, remember the important stuff, and keep track of everything in one spot. Especially when you’re halfway into a long drive, someone’s asking for snacks again, and your phone battery is down to eight percent.
These page ideas are simple, practical, and easy to fill out, even if your brain is in full travel mode. Use them to plan, stay focused, and make space to enjoy the trip without trying to remember everything on the fly.
1. Road Trip Overview Page
This is where the whole trip comes together on one page.
Use it to write down the main details: your destination, travel dates, who’s going, and any major stops you already have in mind. You can also note the overall vibe of the trip.
Whether it’s a national park adventure, a laid-back coastal drive, or a packed itinerary to Grandma’s house with a few pit stops along the way, this page keeps it all visible at a glance.
It’s helpful when you need a quick refresher or when someone in the car asks, “Where are we going again?” and your brain is too tired to answer without looking.
Want to make it more fun to use? Add simple touches like a countdown, color-coded stop markers, or even tiny icons next to each location. Think sun doodles for beach days, trees for hikes, or coffee cups for your planned pit stops (because you already know there will be at least three).
This is the page you’ll keep flipping back to, so make it easy to find and even easier to update.
2. Packing Checklist
This one’s non-negotiable. Forgetting even one small thing can throw the whole trip off, especially if it’s your charger, your kid’s must-have comfort item, or the one pair of shoes you actually needed.
A packing checklist helps you keep track of it all without trying to rely on your memory, which is probably already handling about five other things at once.
Break it up into smaller sections that make sense for your trip. Clothes, toiletries, chargers, car stuff, snacks, and anything specific to the people coming with you. If you’re packing for kids, that list needs its own space.
Add extra outfits, games, and yes, wipes. Always wipes.
Throw in a section for car basics like sunglasses, tissue packs, and documents, and don’t forget the snack stash. This isn’t just about avoiding a gas station run. It’s about keeping the peace between exits (and making sure no one gets hangry halfway through the drive).
Leave room for checkboxes next to each item so you can cross things off as you go. If you want to make the page easier to find later, mark it with washi tape or a sticky tab. It only takes a few minutes to set up, but it’ll save you from digging through bags wondering if you packed the allergy meds or if they’re still sitting on the bathroom counter.
And hey, if you’re a fan of ready-made pages, you might love this free daily planner printable. It pairs really well with your travel journal if you want to plan out your mornings before hitting the road.
3. Road Trip Budget Tracker
Planning the trip is fun. Seeing the credit card bill afterward? Not so much.
That’s why a simple budget tracker in your bullet journal is one of the most useful pages you can set up before you leave. It helps you stay on top of your spending while still enjoying the trip.
Break your expected expenses into a few clear categories: gas, food, lodging, activities, and extras. Leave space next to each one so you can write the actual amounts as you go. That way, if something starts creeping higher than planned, you’ll see it before it gets out of hand.
Don’t worry about being perfect. Just keep it honest. It also helps to leave a small section for unexpected stuff because there’s always something — like an extra tank of gas, a parking fee, or the earrings you didn’t plan to buy but couldn’t leave behind (it happens).
Setting up this page ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the trip without money stress, tagging along in the passenger seat.
4. Route Planner Map
It’s one thing to know your final destination. It’s another thing to know how you’re actually getting there.
A route planner page helps you lay out the full trip from start to finish, so you’re not winging it on the road. Sketch a simple outline of your route, or print a basic map and tape it right into your journal. Mark your main stops with circles or stars, and jot down the driving time between each one.
This is especially helpful if you’re splitting up the drive or coordinating with someone else. Everyone can see the route without needing to pass around a phone or refresh a GPS app that’s glitching out in the middle of nowhere.
Make space for rest stops or any food breaks. Be realistic with timing. You know someone’s going to need a bathroom break right after you just stopped (because that’s just how it goes).
If you’re the visual type, add small icons to show snack spots, overnight stays, or sightseeing detours. Color coding works great here, too, especially if your route has multiple legs or city stops.
Keep a section for backup routes in case of traffic or road closures. It takes a few extra minutes, but it can save you hours and a lot of backseat complaints when things don’t go as planned.
This page takes your trip from a rough idea to a clear plan, and that makes all the difference when the car is packed and everyone’s ready to roll.
5. Meal and Snack Planner
Getting stuck in the car with nothing but mints and gum is not a good time. If you’ve ever tried to stretch a snack pack of crackers between three hungry kids, you already know why a meal and snack planner deserves its own page.
Use one space in your bullet journal to plan each day’s meals. Start with breakfast, then map out what you’ll pack for the road, and where you might grab lunch or dinner along the way. Don’t forget to note what should stay chilled in the cooler, like string cheese, yogurt, fruit, or sandwiches that won’t melt into mush.
If your car includes picky eaters or little ones with strong opinions, write down go-to snack combos you already know will work. Having those on hand keeps you from resorting to last-minute gas station hauls that cost more than your actual meal plan.
Include a mini checklist for what’s packed, what needs to be picked up along the way, and any grocery stops you’re planning. This keeps everything on one page and helps you avoid repeat purchases or running out of something essential two hours into a stretch of highway with zero exits.
And if you’d rather not start from scratch, these half-page meal planner inserts make it easy to get organized fast. They’re clean, compact, and take the stress out of planning meals when you’re short on time and space.
This one page saves money, cuts down food waste, and keeps everyone from getting cranky. Because nothing ruins the vibe like realizing the only thing left to eat is half a protein bar from your purse.
6. Daily Itinerary Pages
Trying to remember where you’re supposed to be and when? That gets old fast, especially when you’re managing hotel check-ins, activity bookings, and multiple stops in one day.
Daily itinerary pages help you keep everything in order. Dedicate one page per day of your trip. Use it to list what you need to do, where you’re going, and how long the drive will take. Add check-in times, addresses, reservation details, and anything else that keeps your day running without last-minute guesswork.
It also helps everyone else stay on the same page. Whether you’re road-tripping with your partner, the kids, or a group of friends, it’s way easier to point to the plan than repeat yourself five times before 10 a.m.
Leave some space for any last-minute changes. Weather shifts, traffic happens, and sometimes your best-laid plans get swapped out for an unplanned stop for soft serve (priorities).
This one page helps you stay focused without trying to carry the whole plan in your head. And it keeps those little details from slipping through the cracks, like that early check-in you booked three weeks ago or the park tour your kid has been looking forward to for months.
7. Lodging Info Page
When you finally pull into town after a long day of driving, the last thing you want is to fumble through emails trying to find the hotel address or figure out what name the reservation’s under.
That’s why your bullet journal needs a simple lodging info page. Use it to write down every place you’re staying, along with the full address, check-in and check-out times, and your confirmation numbers.
If you booked through an app, write that down too, so you’re not stuck digging through your inbox in the lobby.
Don’t forget the small details that save time. Add parking notes, Wi-Fi passwords, pet policies, or whether breakfast is included. (Because waffles that come with the room just taste better.)
If your trip includes multiple stops or you’re switching between hotels and Airbnbs, this page keeps everything in one place. No second-guessing, no awkward front desk moments, and no realizing you wrote the wrong date after everyone’s already unpacked.
You can also leave a little room to rate each place after your stay. Whether it was amazing, average, or a bit of a surprise, your notes will come in handy for the next trip. Especially if you ever want to avoid the “rustic” motel with the mystery smell again. (Yikes.)
8. Entertainment Tracker
Even the prettiest road trip views can start to feel a little too quiet after the third hour in the car. That’s why an entertainment tracker is one of those pages you’ll be glad you planned ahead.
Use this space to list all the shows, podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks you want to take with you. Think of it as your personal road trip playlist on paper, minus the frantic phone scrolling while you’re on the interstate.
If you’ve got kids in the backseat, add a section just for them. Keep it simple with downloaded movies, quick games, or printable bingo pages. Even a list of “no-screens” activities helps when you need to stretch the battery life a little longer.
Plan for no Wi-Fi moments, too. Make sure your downloads are ready before you leave, and keep track of what’s prepped right on this page. You can even add a column to rate what you watched or listened to so you’ll remember which podcast had you laughing or which one helped everyone fall asleep.
And if your playlist includes throwbacks from the early 2000s that instantly make you feel like you’re in your old car again, blast them. (That’s part of the fun)
9. Trip Countdown Page
When a trip is getting close, everything seems to hit at once. Laundry, errands, and last-minute Target runs. That’s where a countdown page can help. It’s a simple way to stay excited without forgetting the 14 things you still need to do.
Just make a row of boxes or a small grid and fill in how many days you’ve got left. Then cross off a square each day. You can color them in, add stickers, or scribble a big “YES!” on the last one (whatever feels good).
If you’ve got kids, this page is a lifesaver. It helps them see when the trip is happening, so they’re not asking about it every five minutes. Plus, they’ll have fun helping mark the days.
You can even tie small to-dos to the countdown. Like 7 days out? Make sure the car’s in good shape. 3 days out? Pack the toiletries. The day before? Load snacks and double-check the playlist (because no one wants a road trip with no music).
And while you’re at it, it might be fun to print out this summer bucket list printable. You can slip it into your journal and check off a few extra fun memories along the way, especially if the kids want something to look forward to
10. Weather Tracker
If you’ve ever packed for warm and sunny weather, then things ended up in a downpour, you already know how helpful this one is.
Use one spot in your bullet journal to track the forecast for each place you’ll be stopping. A small table works fine, just write down the city, the expected highs and lows, and whether you’re dealing with sunshine or rain.
If you’re going from hot and sunny to cool and breezy, this page will remind you to pack that extra hoodie or toss in the umbrella.
It also makes it easier to plan your days. If Tuesday’s looking stormy, maybe that’s the museum day instead of the picnic day.
Even if the weather suddenly shifts (because we all know it can), this page helps you feel one step ahead, and not stuck wondering what you should’ve packed while your jeans are soaked through.
11. Car Maintenance + Emergency Checklist
Before hitting the road, the last thing you want is car trouble halfway through the trip (yikes). This page helps you prep your vehicle and stay ready for whatever the road throws your way.
Create a simple pre-trip checklist: oil check, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, brake test. Then, list out your emergency kit contents: jumper cables, flashlight, first aid, water bottles, etc. You can even include roadside assistance contact info or car insurance details, just in case.
Add checkboxes to mark things off and keep the layout clear. Want to make it a little more fun? Use doodles (like a tiny wrench or gas pump) to decorate each section.
This spread might not feel glamorous, but it’s a practical lifesaver, especially if you’re traveling solo or with kids. Because nothing ruins vacation vibes faster than a flat tire with no plan.
12. Souvenir or Wishlist Tracker
Half the fun of a road trip is coming home with little things that remind you of where you’ve been. A souvenir tracker keeps it all together so you don’t end up forgetting who you meant to grab something for, or where you even found that cute little handmade mug.
Before the trip starts, use a page to list out the types of souvenirs you want to look for. Stuff like postcards, local snacks, small crafts, or that one keychain your kid collects from every stop. Then, as you go, jot down what you got, where you picked it up, and who it’s for.
And yes, even if it’s just for you, it still goes on the list. (Because hey, don’t forget about YOU.)
This page helps you avoid buying the same kind of thing at every stop or forgetting what you’ve already picked up. It also makes thank-you gifts easier if you’re bringing things home for friends or family.
If you want to keep it neat, make four simple columns: item, location, who it’s for, and cost. That way, you can see everything at a glance without flipping through crumpled receipts or empty bags at the bottom of the trunk.
Plus, when you get home, you’ll actually remember what everything is, no more mystery candles or shirts with logos you don’t recognize.
13. Favorite Moments Journal Page
Road trips come with their own little highlights, and not just the ones you planned. Sometimes it’s the detour that turns out better than the main stop. Other times, it’s just the way everyone laughed at the same silly joke for the hundredth time.
That’s why having a page for your favorite moments is so worth it.
You don’t need to write full paragraphs or turn it into a whole journal entry. Just short notes, one-liners, or things you want to remember later. Maybe it’s a killer sunset view, the best fries you ever had at a random diner, or that awkward-but-funny motel situation no one will let you forget.
You can list them by day, by location, or just scribble them down as they happen. Use labels like “Best View,” “Weirdest Moment,” or “Unexpected Win” if that helps you stay organized.
And yes, even if it’s something like surviving a meltdown in the backseat or belting out 2000s throwbacks with no shame — it belongs here.
(Those memories are part of the good stuff, too.)
By the end of the trip, this page becomes a little scrapbook you’ll actually want to look back on.
14. Polaroid or Photo Spots Page
Ever get back from a trip and realize the only pictures you took were of the gas station snacks or your kid passed out in the backseat? It happens. A photo spots page helps you plan ahead so you don’t miss the moments that actually matter.
Use a page in your journal to list out the places you really want to snap a picture. That could be scenic overlooks, cute roadside diners, those cheesy tourist stops with giant statues, or even just your Airbnb if it’s got a vibe.
You don’t need to be artistic. Just sketch out simple boxes to hold space for photos, and write next to them where or what you want to capture. You can even break it up by day or destination if that helps.
This is especially great if you’re trying to be more intentional with your memory keeping. Instead of scrolling later and thinking “why didn’t I take a picture of that?”, this page makes sure you actually do.
And once you’re back home, it’s the perfect excuse to print a few out and stick them right into those boxes. Scrapbooking without the glue and mess? Yes, please.
Add a little space under each box for a caption. Something simple like “first morning coffee in Flagstaff” or “the diner with the best pancakes ever” brings the memory right back.
This one keeps your trip from living only in your head and your phone’s camera roll. It gives your memories a home you’ll actually want to flip through again.
15. Post-Trip Reflection + Gratitude Page
The trip’s over, the car’s unpacked, and you’re staring down a mountain of laundry. Before you dive back into regular life, take a few minutes to breathe and look back.
A reflection and gratitude page helps you wrap it all up in a way that actually feels good. Use it to jot down what went well, what you’d do differently, and those little things that made the trip special.
Start simple. Write out anything you’re grateful for — the weather holding up, the playlist hitting just right, or how nobody spilled a drink on the rental seats.
The small stuff matters.
You can also leave space for lessons learned. Like maybe next time you’ll pack fewer outfits, bring more snacks, or book the hotel with the better coffee (because priorities).
If it helps, you can include some quick prompts like:
- What was your favorite stop?
- What surprised you the most?
- What will you skip or change for next time?
And if you’re already thinking about your next trip (because you know you are), leave a little “next trip notes” section to jot down anything fresh while it’s still in your head.
This page doesn’t need to be perfect or pretty. It’s just your way of closing the loop and giving yourself a second to appreciate the ride before it all fades into routine.
Plan Less, Enjoy More
(Yep, kinda ironic coming from a list of planner pages, but stay with me.)
The whole point of your road trip journal isn’t to fill up every page like a checklist. It’s to make something that actually works for you.
Start small. Pick a couple of pages that make sense for your trip and go from there. You can always add more once you’re out on the road or when new ideas hit you somewhere between gas stops and iced coffee runs.
This isn’t just about being organized. It’s about making the trip easier to manage, less chaotic, and honestly, more fun. When you’ve got a handle on your plans and your budget, it frees up brain space for things like spontaneous detours, real conversations, and just enjoying the ride.
If you want your journal to feel fun, add some personality to it. A strip of washi tape, a few colorful swipes of highlighter, or some fun stickers can go a long way.
Throw in little extras that make you smile. A tiny cactus sticker? A doodle of your car with sunglasses? Why not.
The best part is what you’ll come home with. Not just a bunch of crossed-off lists, but real memories. Inside jokes. Little moments you’d totally forget if you hadn’t written them down.
It becomes a souvenir that actually means something, not just something you toss in a drawer.
So open your notebook, sketch your route, and make it yours. You don’t need to plan everything down to the minute. Just enough to make space for what really matters along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Should I Include In A Road Trip Bullet Journal?
Start with the essentials like a road trip overview, packing checklist, and route planner. Then build in fun and functional pages like meal planners, budget trackers, and memory logs. You don’t need to do it all, just pick the ones that fit your trip style and family needs.
2. Do I Need To Be Artistic To Create Bullet Journal Pages?
Not at all. You don’t need fancy lettering or doodles (unless you want to). A few boxes, headers, and checkmarks are more than enough. If it helps you stay organized and excited for the trip, it’s working!
3. Can I Use A Bullet Journal If I’m Planning A Last-Minute Trip?
Yes! Even just a few pages like a packing list and daily itinerary can help reduce the chaos. Bullet journaling is flexible, so you can create and adjust as you go.
4. How Do I Make My Travel Journal Pages More Fun?
Use colorful pens, washi tape, or road-themed stickers. Add a quote of the day, highlight your favorite moments, or leave space for photos. Make it feel like your kind of fun.
5. Is A Bullet Journal Better Than Using Apps For Travel Planning?
It depends on your style. Bullet journals offer a tactile, creative way to plan and reflect, which many people find more memorable. But you can always combine both apps for maps and bookings, and your journal for planning, memories, and personal notes.