The thing is, as much as you plan and prepare, you can't know exactly how things are going to roll on the road. Even good road trips have bad days, and unplanned Detours are always a possibility. As a solo woman traveler, I've learned to be better prepared, to trust my intuition around sketchy people and places, and have become more confident in navigating the old-fashioned way with maps and recommendations from family and friends. Solo travel still feels pretty fresh to me, but the more I venture out on my own, the greater ease I feel. Here are some tips and tricks that have been working for me on my road trips in Gypsy…

1.Plan for Detours.

If you start out expecting to get lost or run into dead ends, you're better able to get back on track. Try NOT to rely on Google maps, and learn to read contour maps and use a compass. If you hit a Detour, get to a place with unobstructed views or an overlook. Sometimes a broader perspective can help you find more than one way around a Detour.

2. Pack a simple toolkit

A hammer, screwdriver, folding shovel, ax, paracord, zip ties, and duct tape can fix a lot. Get comfortable with imperfection 'cause fixes on the road may work, but aren't always pretty.

Follow your North Star, not someone else's map.

Have the courage to steer in the direction of your heart and soul. Trust that you know the way.

Put your phone down and turn off the radio.

I love a good playlist or podcast, but turning off the music and tuning out the 'expert' viewpoints is what I really need in order to hear my own voice and perspective. One of the biggest lessons I've learned on the road is how to disconnect, be comfortable with silence, and tune into my thoughts.

And finally, slow down.

Roll down the windows and feel the wind in your hair. Travel the back roads and drive down the Main Streets. Let go of a set itinerary. Get curious and explore. Stop rushing. Take your time and take it all in! A good road trip makes every mile count.

Do you remember the 1991 road trip classic Thelma & Louise? After their wild ride together, Thelma turns to Louise and says, "I feel really awake. I don't recall ever feeling this awake. You know? Everything looks different now."

Solo travel makes me feel awake, and like Detours, it shifts my perspective. I like the view from Gypsy's driver's seat - things look different.