How I used AI to Plan an Amazing Cross-Country Trip with my Son

When my son decided to move from California to Florida, I had this great idea that I would join him for the ride. Not all moms would do this, but I love to travel and felt this could be a fun adventure and give me bonus bonding time with my youngest, 28-year-old, son.

I had a vague idea of some places I wanted to see. In California, I wanted to visit good friends. I wanted to see Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in Utah. Finally, I wanted to drive through 3 states I’ve never been to: Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, just to add them to my bucket list (I’ve now been to 46).

Now, in the olden days (last year?) I would look at a map and try to figure out which highways and then google hotels.com for places to stay.

This time, I tried ChatGpt.com. That was fun!

In no time at all, I was provided with a detailed daily road map, approximate times, interesting sites to see, and unique places to stay and eat.

It’s all in how you word the request.

Heres’s my prompt:

“Schedule a road trip starting in San Clemente, California to my house in Florida. Include approximately 8 hours per day of driving. Make stops in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Take a route through Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Each day list 3-5 sights to see including scenic spots and nature. Recommend unique, highly rated restaurants along the way and suggest 2-3 highly rated hotels or Airbnb’s to stay in.”

From this detailed prompt, I was given, in a matter of seconds, a comprehensive guide to our road trip. Based on these suggestions, and some additional tweaks along the way, here is what we did.

San Clemente, California. (Saturday and Sunday)

• Airbnb: walk to the beach, shops and restaurants.
• Boogie boarding and walks along the Pacific Ocean.
• Took free yoga class at YNG yoga studio.
• Visit to Old Hansens house on the cliff called Casa Romantica. Pretty views and gardens.
• Meals: Sunsets, Vine Restaurant and Beachfire. All very good.

to Springdale, Utah (Monday)

• Drive 8 hours across California desert, Nevada and Arizona. Stopped for gas and fried chicken (bad idea)
• Hotel: Springdale Marriott Suites
• Shuttle into Zion from hotel. Take shuttle through park. Get out at stop 5 on way back. Hike to lower Emerald pool. Shuttle back to hotel
• Italian restaurant next to hotel. $$$. Breakfast included next day.

to Monument Valley, Utah (Tuesday)

• Drive through Zion on scenic SR- 9 to Bryce Canyon, Kanab and Monument Valley.
• Listen to GuideAlong on phone with stories about the area and best sights to see – the guide knows where you are through GPS tracking.
• Stop at visitors center in Bryce Canyon
• Drive through park and stop at sunset point, inspiration point and swamp canyon. No time this trip for hiking but the scenic overlooks are breathtaking!
• Town of Kanab for lunch and quick gift shopping.
• Drive to The View hotel in Navajo Tribal Park border of Utah and Arizona.
• Dinner at The View hotel. Breakfast included next day.

to Canyon, Texas (Wednesday)

• Sunrise at Monument valley from room at The View hotel
• Breakfast and shopping in hotel’s trading post with Native American arts and crafts.
• Drive through different Indian reservations heading east.
• Lunch on Route 66 at Railway Cafe, Gallup, New Mexico. Great food!
• Pose by Albuquerque sign so I could post a picture of me pointing to it and play the Partridge family song. Tortured son with playing several more songs from my favorite record album when I was 7 years old. “I think I Love You”.
• Detoured off highway due to an accident on Highway 40. It got dark and we changed plans. We stayed at a Fairfield Marriott hotel in Clovis, New Mexico instead of driving another 2 hours to Canyon, Texas after dinner at RibCrib BBQ. Important to be flexible if you like traveling.
• Breakfast included next day.

to Mena, Arkansas (Thursday)

• Stop at Cadillac Ranch off highway 40/ Route 66. Spray paint the 10 buried Cadillacs in the field.
• Stop at Bills Backyard Classics – 100 old cars
• Lunch on Route 66 at U Drop In cafe
• Drive through scenic Ouachita National forest and the Talimena highway.
• Dinner at sushi/hibachi restaurant which was recommended by Bed and Breakfast owner Darren
• Stay at Sassafras Inn. Greeted by owner Darren. Given a detailed tour of his historic home and freshly made blueberry muffins.

to Biloxi, Mississippi (Friday)

• Digging for crystals at Wegner’s crystal mine in Mount Ida.
• Drive through scenic Ouachita National Forest, through towns named Arkadelphia and Texarkana.
• Lunch at Wendy’s in Mississippi. The worst service ever!
• Stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi.
• Dinner and live music at hotel. Donated a few dollars to the Roulette wheel.

to Bradenton, Florida (Saturday)

• Sat by the pool drinking coffee as boats go by into the Gulf in Biloxi.
• Lunch at good Greek restaurant near Tallahassee.
• Dinner waiting for us at home with Pete and Harry.

Different from the trip I took with Mike almost 40 years ago when our only guide was the big Rand McNally book of all the States.

Also, I had more money to spend on better accommodations and meals: no tent camping and hot dogs on a stick over a campfire this time. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but you know, been there – done that!

If you haven’t tried it yet, go to ChaptGpt.com and give it a prompt about your upcoming travel adventure. I hear it can also find the best flights which I will have to try next time.