The Overland Trip Planner
The Overland Trip Planner and guide will help make sure you are prepared to hit the road with everything you need for successful exploration. What might feel like an overwhelming process at first can be simplified when placed into a single organized plan. Read on to learn more!
Check out the PDF trip planner download at the end of this article to help you get started.
Trip Planner: The Basics
The first step is to get the lay of the land for your trip. Here are starting points for your trip planner:
- Trip duration
- How many miles round trip
- Elevation change expected
- Terrain types expected
- Weather forecast
- Farthest distance traveled between gas stations
- Current state of trail/roads and what are latest reports?
- How many travelers?
The Groundwork
When you begin with your trip planner, think about your route, and where the road will be taking you. Find a map, download GPS files or checkout a resource book specialized in the area you’re heading to. US Forest Service Stations are one of the best resources to get local maps of the area (often for free).
Weather Forecast
Check the weather reports often as your departure date nears. The next task is to research the historical highs/lows/precipitation for the region you’re traveling. This is crucial to calibrate what type of clothing and gear is needed, especially if heading into more extreme climates and elevations.
Sleeping & Shelter
Whether you run a Rooftop Tent, sleep in your vehicle or you’re packing a quick set up ground tent, make sure to check your shelter options and sleeping gear before heading out.
Are all parts present and accounted for? Are the materials and fabrics dry and in one piece? The first night on the trail is not the time to realize there’s a leak in your sleeping pad.
Water
The recommended amount is 1.5-2 gallons (6-8 liters) per person per day. This may seem like a lot, but consider this is the water you will be cooking with, and more importantly, water is a non-negotiable resource when you’re headed off-road. There’s no harm carrying more than you think you need.
Food
How to shop and plan meals for the road less traveled is topic of its own. Meal planning and preparation are strongly informed by personal preference. (We’re looking at you, trail foodies.) Here’s a method that is tried and true for those starting out with a trip planner:
Dry Goods + Fresh Foods = Simple
Build out a simple dry goods container of essential items like spices, hot sauces, olive oil/vinegar and canned ingredients like diced tomatoes, black beans, dry pasta and pasta sauce. Think basic items that can be added to fresh ingredients to make a more well rounded meal.
When you have these meal building blocks set, you can integrate fresh foods and meats into the mix without having to carry additional perishables. A simple cooler can go a long way keeping food fresh if you minimize opening and closing the lid.
For those wanting more space and control of their trip planner, consider investing in a fridge. Companies like Dometic offer a wide variety of mobile fridge options and sizes.
For those evenings when you pull into camp after dark, a few MREs in your dry goods case can make life easier.
Vehicle Preparation & Maintenance
First things first for a trip planner – Keep your vehicle on a maintenance schedule. Don’t miss oil changes, tire rotations, alignment checks and brake inspections. Don’t wait until the last minute for that overdue oil change only to find out your brake pads are within a millimeter of their life.
In the weeks leading up to your departure date, pay close attention to any rattles, vibrations and hums that catch your attention. If your vehicle is about to hit a major mileage milestone (100K, 200K, 250K, etc), make sure it goes through a proper tune-up and maintenance check.
There is no shame if you do not have mechanical experience with your vehicle. Trip preparation is a great opportunity to get to know more about what’s under the hood and learn the basics of repairs and maintenance. A little research and a few questions can go a long way.
Too Often Overlooked in the Trip Planner: Connect Locally
Go online and find overlanders who have traveled down the same route you’re planning and get their advice. Start to cultivate the websites and communities/forums you trust to give the best insight and advice.
Not only does this help prevent ‘analysis paralysis’ and endless google searches, but it also helps to create friendships online and in the real world.
Overland Bound Members can head to the Resource Map to connect with other members in the area. Reach out to someone local so you can ask specific questions about trail conditions, access updates or what local destinations are a must.
Double Check Your Final Check of the Trip Planner
Create and maintain a checklist for the very last stage of packing. Get a visual on the items in each category and check them off as you pack.
- Food Water & Kitchen
- Shelter & Clothing
- Camp Basics
- Vehicle Recovery & Tools
- GPS Comms & Electronics
- First Aid & Emergency
Learn As You Go
Remember, each trip is the opportunity to innovate and build on the experiences of the last one.
A few years back we developed our own checklist based on our travels down the road. Over time it has expanded it into 3 sections: Pre-Adventure, Adventure and Post Adventure.
It is now a 4 page system that takes you through the process, and as you stack the pages together, you’ve created a seamless planner that moves from one adventure into the next without stopping.
This overland trip planner checklist works in conjunction with the Ultimate Overland Checklist.
We’re offering this planner as a PDF file for free! You can open up the file and download to your computer below. You must be registered on this site to see the link.
Overland Bound Trip Planner PDF:
Download Here:
You must be logged in to see the download button above.
*Use the registration widget on the right sidebar on this page to register. Outfit & Explore!
This article is very helpful and very informative especially for newbies like myself. this will be a great way to plan out our trip to Zion after the new year.
thank you corrie
You’re welcome! Happy to help out! Let us know how your trip goes.
I will definitely be putting your planning paperwork to use. such a great idea and layout.
Nice. Our trip for 2017 this spring is all planned out and we are already beginning to plan for our 2018 trip. A friend asked about what we were talking about the other night, our next vacation? That's 4 months away! I replied, it is a never ending process. It continues until the day we leave and begins again about 2 weeks after we arrive home. I'm in the middle of making reservations now, awakening at 12:00 am mountain time, ( 2:00 am here ), hitting buttons, filling in info, and getting our permits. And our rig? unless I'm under the hood, it's ready to roll at any given moment…
It says I do not have access to the PDF…that I am not registered.
I will keep this in mind for the future! My wife loves lists!
Thank you [USER=2161]@Corrie[/USER]
Haven’t been that organized in the past, but you have inspired me. I’m going to add a list of emergency contacts in the area of travel. Also a designated check in/out contact. Thanks!
These are awesome and will come in handy for our family trip to Zion next month
I don`t have access to downlode the PDF 🙁
You just need to register!
i think i am.
I’m checking your account!
I’m also currently logged in and registered without access.
I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy, but I live and work with a bunch of planners (bah humbug). I've had to learn to make some adjustments to the way I prefer to do things vs the way I need to do things. The most helpful thing in this collection of documents is the post-trip evaluation of how things worked.
I use Evernote to do the whole "What Worked?" "What Didn't" evaluation. Between trips, I try to move the what didn't over into the what worked before the next trip. Sometimes it takes a little while to get it figured out, but it is a super helpful tool for improving your experiences.
Nicely done! I know my other half loves lists.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using OB Talk mobile app
[QUOTE="Ingvarhh, post: 58069, member: 5822"]i think i am.[/QUOTE]
Very strange! I don't see any issues with your account. When you go to the article are you logged on here in the page sidebar?
[ATTACH=full]11875[/ATTACH]
If so, do you see this in the article?
[ATTACH=full]11876[/ATTACH]
If you are logged in and do not see this, what are you seeing?
Thank you!
M
Logged in but no access, this is what I am seeing
Download Here:
You don’t have permission to access this content
You must me logged on to see the download button above! I hope this article is helpful for those who are new to overlanding, and a good refresher for our experienced members.
Hope to see you on the trail!
Outfit & Explore!
*To register on this site, just use the registration widget on the right sidebar on this page. This will create a user account for this site, and our forums, and unlock cool free content. Thank you!
DISCUSS IN OUR COMMUNITY
The thread view count is 89
Hi [USER=1]@Michael[/USER] I think I might be in the same boat as [USER=5822]@Ingvarhh[/USER]
I'm logged in and can see myself logged in on the side bar:
Now when I read the article and get to the section for the PDF I'm presented with this message:
I’m currently logged in and I can’t view the checklist. It says I don’t have permission.
[QUOTE="Porter707, post: 58109, member: 5311"]Hi [USER=1]@Michael[/USER] I think I might be in the same boat as [USER=5822]@Ingvarhh[/USER]
I'm logged in and can see myself logged in on the side bar (See image profile).
Now when I read the article and get to the section for the PDF I'm presented with the message stating I do not have permission to access the content (See image permissions).[/QUOTE]
Ooooh. I think I might have an answer. Gonna check something.
[USER=4711]@Fakawi Tribe[/USER] [USER=5311]@Porter707[/USER] [USER=5822]@Ingvarhh[/USER] [USER=2698]@Killacush[/USER] [USER=3490]@dj rhymes[/USER] [USER=1428]@project.hi.vis[/USER]
Alright guys, that was all me. I THINK you should have access now. Give it a try and let me know!
M
Working now thanks
Great article! I had tried to put something like this together, but never got around to finishing it…….so now I have yours! Thanks! – fjexplorer
[QUOTE="Michael, post: 58138, member: 1"][USER=4711]@Fakawi Tribe[/USER] [USER=5311]@Porter707[/USER] [USER=5822]@Ingvarhh[/USER] [USER=2698]@Killacush[/USER] [USER=3490]@dj rhymes[/USER] [USER=1428]@project.hi.vis[/USER]
Alright guys, that was all me. I THINK you should have access now. Give it a try and let me know!
M[/QUOTE]
Your magic worked [USER=1]@Michael[/USER] thank you much! These are great!
It Works Now.
thanks 🙂
Saw this first a few days ago on Instagram and Facebook, and I got the PDF this morning, and printed out 15 copies.
Going to put it in a binder I keep in my rig that has a few pics of my roof top tent when opened up.
I keep that as sometimes people will ask me how many skis I can back in my ski case, and I have to explain to them it is not a ski case, but a roof top tent 🙂
Thanks for putting up the file!
[QUOTE="Michael, post: 58138, member: 1"][USER=4711]@Fakawi Tribe[/USER] [USER=5311]@Porter707[/USER] [USER=5822]@Ingvarhh[/USER] [USER=2698]@Killacush[/USER] [USER=3490]@dj rhymes[/USER] [USER=1428]@project.hi.vis[/USER]
Alright guys, that was all me. I THINK you should have access now. Give it a try and let me know!
M[/QUOTE]
It is working, now! Thanks [USER=1]@Michael[/USER]
Thanks a lot for this !! I will definitely use this on my next trip !!!
[QUOTE="Corrie, post: 57975, member: 2161"]Corrie submitted an Article on the main site!
Overland Trip Planning: What do you NEED to Check?
Overland trip planning is challenging. Did you…
Continue reading the Original Blog Post.[/QUOTE]
[USER=2161]@Corrie[/USER] — GREAT article and I really LOVE checklists and such. The other checklist you guys did was great too and I would suggest printing them, taking them to Kinko's or such and laminating them. I have several checklists laminated and keep a set of dry erase pens that I can write on the laminate and reuse the checklists over and over. There may be a time – more important or longer trip – that you can print a set and use them but laminating a set has been a great help to me!!
Wheel safe & happy!!
I can’t se the PDF… Where can I download it? THANK YOU!!!!
Most excellent. Thank you. We have already started initial chatting and planning for our 2018 trek north to Inuvik (and hopefully to Tuk if the road is finished) and this will certainly help with out long range planning.
Great work. Love it!! Thank you very much 🙂
Great read and love the PDF.
Thanks so much! This is super in line with the way I think.
Sent from my XT1254 using OB Talk mobile app
The download link for the trip planner won’t work for me, it leads me to a “Page Cannot Be Displayed” window.
Hi Lea, I’ll look into this right now!
[QUOTE="Michael, post: 75320, member: 1"]Hi Lea, I'll look into this right now![/QUOTE]
Thanks!
You bet! Sent to leablakley@gmail.com
love this pdf overland bound planner…many thanks for letting us print
Great forms!!! Lol, I have to say that I really need these…I do. But, unfortunately, I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of guy. I am so… spontaneous. I have been so ill prepared for so many adventures that they actually qualify as "misadventures". But, I have to say…I have some of the best stories!!!
Micheal & Corrie, I’m trying to download the pdf and it says I need to login but I’m logged in. Please check my profile to see if there is a problem. Mahalo Glenn sends…
Thanks for the great tips.
Hey Michael an corrie
I can’t download the lforms I’m logged in but won’t let me download keeps saying to log in
Great article. I downloaded the PDF, that will definitely come in handy.
These forms are a great idea. You should consider trying to partner with company Field Notes or Rite-in-the-Rain to produce a nicely bound version people could buy. It would make an awesome gift for some fellow overlanders. Just a thought, but you should do it!
great information and thanks for the planner.
Hi Michael and Corrie
I not able download the forms. I'm logged in but won't let me download. It says to login to get the forms.
[QUOTE="Corrie, post: 57975, member: 2161"]Corrie submitted an Article on the main site!
Overland Trip Planning: What do you NEED to Check?
Overland trip planning is challenging. Did you…
Continue reading the Original Blog Post.[/QUOTE]
Hi Michael and Corrie
I not able download the forms. I'm logged in but won't let me download. It says to login to get the forms.
Wow! That was an amazing article! Thank you so much Corrie, You and Michael NEVER cease to amaze me how Fun, AND safe, you can make this way of life. I am a single Dad, trying to keep life exciting (but safe) for my three kids. Articles (and PDF’s) like this allow me to relax and actually enjoy the journey with them! I can’t thank you guys enough!
It is our pleasure! Thanks for reading!
M
[QUOTE="Michael, post: 129418, member: 1"]It is our pleasure! Thanks for reading!
M[/QUOTE]
Let me add something usually not mentioned I. Many posts regarding what to take, a spare set of keys for the rig, vehicle and trailer if so equipped, for some reason they do get lost, dropped in the water, lake, or lost in a campsite. Been here done this. DUH!
Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
Logged in; *(even re-logged in to be sure) and still unable to access the PFD. Is it located somewhere else?
Thanks!
Any fix on being able to download the PDF?
I’ve got the same issue as the others who don’t have access to the file. I’m logged in – I’ve logged out and back in – still no access to the file – any help is appreciated. Gary
Hi, great article, but even though I’m logged in, I don’t see the download button.
All I see is:
Download Here:
You don’t have permission to access this content
You must me logged on to see the download button above!
Great article! I tend towards Michaels side of things…. jump in the rig and yell “Roadtrip!’ is my normal pre trip planning faze….. :O
Checklist will make the likelyhood of returning from said trip much higher 🙂
I’ve been camping since I was a kid… When in high school or college, my dad would call me and ask–‘what are ya doing for the weekend? Nothing? Great, pick you up at 5’–and we’d find some place to park/camp. There’s something great about the impromptu weekend trip–traveling light, enjoying what’s around you. With that said however, going overland requires a lot more prep–thanks so much for the checklist!
great check list. reminds me of my pre mission checks I conduct for my soldiers. my old first sergeant used to say ” don’t expect what you don’t inspect”.
Thanks for the article. Already printed out several sets of the lists as these will be handy. Hopefully heading to the UP of Michigan this spring. I will post how well the lists work and some pics of the trip.
Hank
This looks great. I have a smaller version, so will add some of these ideas to my present Palnner. Tahnsk guys.
Very useful read. I downloaded the trip check list and will be using it on our up coming trip. Thanks..
Very helpful. Thank you OB
I see the link, but it doesn’t work for me.
Other than picking the region we're going, we've almost never planned anything. That's part of the adventure. We pack what we think we'll need and just head out making it up as we go along. Worked for us for the past 40 years.
I’m logged on and try to downloaded the PDF but i didn’t see any button to download it… its possible to send it by email ?
Logged on as well, but I still cant download the trip planner. Is this no longer available? Seems like a needed piece for newbies like me!