Over 40% of women planning travel this year will embark on a solo trip. 

Forty percent!  That's amazing, and so very exciting.

Are you considering joining into this growing movement of adventurous women who are seeking and finding freedom and wonder as they travel on their own? 

If you are (or even might be), you're in the right place to take the next bold (or tentative!) step.  Read on and be inspired to pack your bags!  Today is all about wonder.

 I wonder. You wonder. You get the idea? Let’s add one more layer: wonder why. Why does a road trip appeal to you? Why does embarking on an adventure and stretching yourself to see and do new things feel compelling? Why the heck do you want to do this? How did you get here, to this place where you made the choice to read this blog? Clearly, something about solo female road tripping draws you in.

 Colorado Wildflowers

Why Wonder Why? 🧐

Taking time to examine your motivations can reveal something about yourself and help you create a more fulfilling adventure. Start with this simple sentence:

I want to take a solo road trip because ___________________________.

Maybe you have a clear answer, or even an entire list of responses!  It's equally awesome if you cannot string three words together to explain your why.  Before my first solo road trip, I couldn’t have clearly expressed why I wanted so badly to get in my car and go. But asking the question is a place to start. 

The skeptics and spontaneous readers may argue, "why not just go?".  You certainly can.  And I bet you'll have a grand time.  But consider these three reasons why wondering why for a bit will enhance the experience for you.

Understanding WHY You Want to Take a Solo Road Trip

1. You’ll be less likely to aimlessly wander and more apt to discover wonder.

2. Clarifying your goals builds confidence and peace.

3. Knowing your motivations empowers you to persevere in the face of any adversity you may encounter.

   

Grand Lake, Colorado

Getting Started

I didn’t agonize over my decision to take that first trip. Honestly, I don’t recall thinking it through much at all. Yet, planning and executing a road trip shifted me from restless uncertainty to confidence and direction. It moved me from wander to wonder.

During that first summer, I wrote this reflection:

. . . I just wasn’t sure what I was doing. Why was I doing all this? Was I looking for something? A place? A feeling? People? For weeks, I muddled along, mostly on my morning runs, trying to work this out in my head. I determined that time would tell, and there was no rush. In fact, those words became a mantra leading up to my trip: Deep breaths. No rush. Time will tell. 

 - Read the full story ➡️ from Home for the Night

I didn’t know my why. But I trusted it would be revealed. And I couldn’t wait to go.

My WHY

In hindsight, my first big road trip stemmed from four key desires. Yours may differ, but reflecting on these might help you identify your motivations:

1. A Desire to Slow Down

I needed to step away from the noise of daily life and truly see what was around me. By creating space to experience God’s creation, I found clarity and peace.

2. A Desire for Time and Space to Think

That meant being alone and decreasing the pace of life.  I felt that being alone in my car was a much more fun (and less depressing!) place to be than sitting at home alone or trying to scratch out bigger chunks of time for myself in my normal environment.

Downtown Breckenridge, CO

3. A Desire for New Experiences

I wanted to explore tiny towns, curious back roads, waterfalls, and unique shops—places I’d never seen before.  It wanted to see, smell, taste, and hear it all!

Beartooth Mountains, Montana

4. A Desire to Navigate Travel Solo

I needed to prove to myself that I could thrive on my own - to manage decision-making, fear, and stress without anyone else to depend on.  I needed to know I was fully capable, and I was!  It was both empowering and exciting.

Sunset in the Keys

Seeking the Familiar

While charting my course, I unconsciously sought places that felt like home. Not literally, but places that provided a sense of comfort, like pulling on a favorite sweater. I wanted to change things up without leaving my life completely in the dust - to stretch myself with new adventures while also gravitating toward a semblance of comfort. 

In the end, this mix of freedom and wonder defined my adventure. Ann Voskamp’s words beautifully capture this sentiment:

"[I wanted to go] sleuthing for the glory that slows a life gloriously."

Discovery

Traveling solo creates a unique opportunity to look out as well as in.  Hours of time, little to no interruptions, quiet if you want it.  Traveling alone inevitably causes you to slow down.  And when you do, the world bursts into full color right in front of you.  Yes, you'll see new things, but you'll also see anew.  And it's intoxicating.

I arrived home from my maiden road trip having gained so much more than I was looking for.  The fog began to clear as I focused on what was in front of me and not within me.  I went days without talking to anyone I knew.  I stayed off my phone.  I relished the moments of deep joy as I marveled at the Creator putting His creative glory on display. 

Each bend in the road brought grace, peace, and love. Slowly, as I began to truly focus forward, I rediscovered me.

Your Turn

Your motivations may differ from mine. Maybe they’re simple or deeply personal. Either way, this journey is about moving toward something, not running away. Nomadic Matt Kepnes wisely said:

"Here’s one thing about using travel to escape: your feelings come with you. They sew themselves into the nooks and crannies of your backpack and hang there like dead weight as you carry them from place to place."

Running from problems won’t make them disappear. But if you’re reclaiming or redefining your life, a solo road trip can be a catalyst for change. By embracing the process, you may find yourself breathing easier and gaining a better understanding of who you are.

Embarking on Your Journey

Whatever your reasons, trust your gut and press on. When it's time to pack, take what you need, but leave unnecessary baggage behind. Remember, you can only experience what’s directly in front of you. When you hit the road, the fog will clear—one moment of wonder at a time.

I Wonder . . .

As you prepare for your journey, consider these questions:

• What draws you to solo female road tripping across the US?

• How can you embrace the comfortably familiar and also discover new things  on your journey?

• What do you hope to discover about yourself?

Take time to ponder these. Your answers may lead you to a road trip filled with freedom, wonder, and lasting memories.

Each week I’ll add a bit more of the story as we plan the perfect solo road trip. I will share:

📍An on-topic video to accompany the weekly blog post.

📍A new blog post with content pulled from my #1 Bestseller, There’s Wonder Around the Bend:  An Inspiring Guide to Solo Road Tripping

📍 You can pick up my book HERE.

📍Grab the ➡️ FREE Super Simple Guide to Solo Road Tripping Safety