We are seniors and really enjoy the flexibility and comfort that driving affords us when traveling.

Our trips often take us from East Texas up to Ontario, Canada (my homeland) as well as Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa, generally to visit family and friends.

We do not enjoy logging the miles anymore and generally only drive 200 300 miles per day, for about a 7-hour-day including breaks and lunch. We try to stop about every hour to stretch and walk around. This also affords us time to "smell the roses" along the way. No matter how many times we have traveled certain roads, there is always something enjoyable to see or do.

There are particular places we make a point to stop. One of these, to give you an example of a "must" stop, is the restaurant called HOME OF THE THROWED ROLL in Sikeston, Missouri. If you really want to enjoy your meal, you will want to have it in the evening. Also, there is an outlet mall there. If you plan well and I-55 is part of your route, you might enjoy staying in Sikeston!

Planning for a road trip is much different from planning for flying. (That is a different article, of course!)

Some people have navigational systems in their cars now and this would be an added benefit. We take out the current large atlas book and individual state maps and plot our course. We also make good use of googling the route*. The combination of paper maps and computer help us to decide how to keep each day to 200 to 300 miles and enable us to make reservations in advance at the appropriate locations. (*You can go to Google.com, ask for directions from City A to City B and it will generate your entire route, which you print and take with your maps.)

It certainly is possible to drive up the road and when you feel like it, stop at a motel and walk-in. We like to be a little more certain of familiar and comfortable accommodation, so we plan ahead. Additionally, in high season (June to September), it is not always easy to find availability.

It is good to belong to two or three hotel groups, carry a membership card and book online before leaving. There are many fine chains. Our current favorites are Hilton (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Suites, plus), Holiday Inn (Holiday Inn Express plus) and Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn plus). Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn all offer similar accommodation and complimentary breakfast which is a major savings and benefit. All have free parking. Many rooms have a mini fridge and some a microwave.

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