If you’ve ever raised tiny humans, you know that sometimes standing in front of the freezer with a spoon and a carton of ice cream feels like the only moment of peace in your day. At that point in my life, I definitely wasn’t dreaming about solo female road tripping, let alone making an active plan to take drive on my own across the country!

I wouldn’t trade those years with my kids for anything, but once were grown and I wasn’t juggling the daily chaos—family, work, volunteering, church, and the never-ending question of what’s for dinner—my identity took a hit.

Can you relate? Maybe you’re in a similar season, wondering what’s next. Instead of facing that floundering feeling every day, I want to offer you a pretty thrilling and fulfilling next step: a solo road trip. And I’m here to help you every step of the way.

The Freedom of Solo Travel

For me, the road has always represented freedom and wonder. It’s a chance to shift my attention from the noise of everyday life to the wonder and the beauty of creation. It’s a chance to reclaim long lost feelings of peace, and it is always a combination of awesome creation and peace that draws me to relax and relish each moment in the presence of my Creator. 

I share all this from my Christian perspective, as I believe that God created this world for us to seek and find Him in that Creation.  That’s my foundational and core belief as I seek freedom and wonder in the world.  If that doesn’t resonate with you, no doubt you will still find joy in the journey ahead, though the lens we look through will be slightly different.    

How it Started

My first solo trip was intimidating. I had some healthy fear, and looking back, I was utterly unprepared. But the moment I pulled out of my driveway, something changed. Every mile felt like a victory. It was freeing, exciting, and eye-opening. I was stepping into the unknown, but that was exactly what I wanted.

In my book, There’s Wonder Around the Bend, I wrote about that transformation:

“I slowed way, way down, took time, opened my eyes and my ears. I shut my mouth, turned off the noise in my head (and on my phone), and began to look around. By looking out, I slowly discovered all those lost parts of myself. Little by little, mile after mile. It was a journey of reclamation, of shedding what had bound and diminished me, and of pursuing wonder.  I took the back roads. I noticed every little thing. Even the smallest details of that first trip are burned in my memory forever. The experience was healing, intoxicating, and transformative.” ~ from There's Wonder Around the Bend

A solo road trip is your chance to discover what makes you feel most like your honest-to-goodness self. And let’s be clear: this isn’t selfish. It’s about reconnecting, refreshing, and reclaiming who you were made to be so you can show up more fully in your life. Even if your daily life is wonderful, stepping away to be quiet and truly see the world around you will change your perspective.

Building Confidence Through Solo Travel

Let’s talk about fear—it’s crippling.  It keeps us from being who God created us to be.  It takes multiple forms and targets us where we are most vulnerable—fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of judgement, or of not being smart enough, pretty enough, good enough or capable enough. We all relate somewhere.

Most often, fear lies to us, and we believe those lies.  Believing them brings consequences.  We allow fear to steal from us, giving it unauthorized permission to rob us of peace, happiness, joy and contentment.  The result is often paralysis, as you stand frozen and seemingly unable to move in any hopeful direction.

Here’s the thing:  You were not born that way.  You were not born afraid.  It’s learned behavior, and it likely took years for it to take root in your life. 

You can choose to let it stop you from pursuing freedom and wonder, peace, and joy.  Or you can choose the path that will lead you to confidence. 

I can promise you that taking a solo road trip ensures you will arrive home more confident than you left.  You may be taking those fears with you, but you’re going to kick many of them to the curb as you go.  You’re going to make decisions, put on your big girl pants and enjoy new experiences, be independent, and be brave. 

Every fear you overcome on the road becomes a part of your growth. And the freedom and confidence you gain? They’re worth every moment of uncertainty.

I’ve done tons of writing about fear and confidence. Check out this post here to read more, and to find specific strategies to help you move forward. Dealing with Fear

Unexpected Benefits and Blessings of Solo Travel

No matter how much you plan, you’ll discover unexpected blessings around every bend.  This list is far from comprehensive, but it includes a few of my favorites!   

Here are just a few benefits of solo travel you may not have considered:

• You can take whatever you want—the whole car is yours to pack as you please!
• No one will eat your snacks.
• You don’t have to share - anything!
• You get to decide when it’s time for a bathroom break.
• Food for one is less expensive.
• You get to make ALL THE DECISIONS!
• There’s no one to criticize your driving or your sense of direction.
• Getting “lost” becomes relative and only you decide if it matters in any given situation.
• You can do whatever you want whenever you want, which means traveling at your own pace, on your own route, eating when and whatever you like, and staying wherever you feel most comfortable.
• If you’re in need of healing, there’s time and space to heal.
• If you’re working through fear and anxiety, you have quiet and calm, but also opportunities to stretch yourself.
• You’re not responsible for the well-being of one other person on planet Earth.

And the biggest benefit? Your perspective will shift. You’ll see things – your own life as well as the world around you – differently. Seeking wonder through solo female road tripping has left its mark on me. My confidence has grown, my mental strength has deepened, and most importantly, my eyes have been opened to the grace and glory of God in a way I never expected.

Bonus:  A Simple Way To Transform Your Road Trip

You may not want to hear it, but take 30 seconds and consider this carefully. Take a break from your phone.

Yes, you’ll need it for navigation, music, photos and occasionally staying in touch with the outside world, but don’t let it steal the wonder from your trip. Resist the urge to constantly check messages, scroll social media, or fill every moment with noise. Turn off notifications. Be present. Let yourself fully experience the beauty around you.  Just do it!

Ready to Go Solo?

Solo road tripping has changed my life. As long as I’m able, I will keep seeking freedom and wonder around the bend. You should try it—at least once. I promise you won’t regret it.

📍If you’re feeling overwhelmed about getting started, grab my 5-Day Quick Start Guide to Going Solo and take it one step at a time.

📍If you’re looking for small ways to ease into solo travel, stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll talk about “mini wonders” and “dreaming small” as a way to start exploring in bite-sized adventures.

Every week I’ll add a bit more of the story as we plan the perfect solo road trip. You'll find:

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

📍A new related 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.