Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Reviews

• Get Prepared for a Year on the Road

  
  By AP4BOQGDFWYM3 on 2005-09-15
  I have to admit that when I first opened LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM by Phil and Carol White, I wondered who in the world could pull off such a task? I mean, really. Living on the road for a whole year? What about responsibilities? What about possessions? What about finances?
  
  I quickly learned that Phil and Carol White had already thought of these things - and more! In fact, their decision to carefully plan absolutely everything turned this feat (and yes, I do mean feat, as even the most dedicated traveler might be overwhelmed by lack of planning when attempting to vacation for an entire year) from an unrealistic dream into a doable possibility.
  
  Fortunately for the rest of us, the Whites lived their road trip dream with the objective to share with us their experiences, warts and all. Because of their meticulousness, their journals, their detailed accounting, and their willingness to be pioneers of travel, the rest of us can avoid the minor pitfalls and poor decisions that can inconvenience or derail even the tiniest vacation, much less a year-long trip across the country.
  
  Through the Whites we learn about (among a great many other things):
  
  *What to do with your house while you're gone
  
  *Who will take care of your responsibilities while you're on the road
  
  *Traveling with pets
  
  *Choosing a vehicle for the trip
  
  *Packing a year's worth of clothing without dragging along everything you own
  
  Quite possibly the most detailed vacation planning guide you could get your hands on, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM will have you more than wishing you could spend a year away - it will have you actually believing it is possible!
  
  The first half of the book is dedicated to planning for your trip, with tons of advice that could be useful for even shorter trips and proves to be absolutely necessary for a year on the road. The second half is a travel journal of sorts, complete with pictures, that chronicles the White's vacation experience and offers glimpses of what is to be seen in regions literally across the country. Unlike typical travel guides which offer prices and hours of exhibits but little in the way of commentary on what was enjoyable and what was not, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM attacks the vacation experience from a refreshing angle - like that of a trusted neighbor who's just come home from a holiday.
  
  In addition, there is a lengthy appendix at the back of the book that is packed full of worksheets, tip sheets, and templates that would get a prospective year-long traveler well on his way of getting started.
  
  A good resource guide to have around for future vacations of any length, LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM is a tempting book for any travel fan. And, who knows? Maybe with the help of Phil and Carol White, your own road trip dream can become a reality.
  
  
  

• Not much substance

  
  By AKQ7ZR7V0CGFM on 2006-12-17
  The book is well-organized, well-written, and a smooth, easy read. Carol writes well, and obviously put a lot of time into it. But there is very little substantive information in it. This is not a book for RV'ers. Although they used a Class B RV (basically a full van conversion), they stayed in motels most nights. Their RV advice was to buy one of the excellent books on RVs already out there. Sadly, their trip seemed rushed. I think they were more interested in being able to say that they visited every state, than enjoying where they visited. The whole last half of the book is just entries from their journal. These are cryptic, and offer little help in choosing where you might want to visit yourself. Financially, the book assumes that you are retired, and that you sell or rent your house and use that money, along with your retirement income to pay for the trip. In all, the book reads like a day dream, and doesn't give much more information than the obvious. If you are just looking for inspiration and confidence to do the trip, this may be a good book for you.
  
  

• Don't Leave Home without Reading "Road Trip Dream" First

  
  By A3UQ03IXL70DPS on 2006-07-27
  My husband and I have been on the road for almost a year, and we owe much of this successful year to Phil and Carol's book.
  
  I bought the book because I wanted to figure out how we could take some time off without going broke, and Road Trip Dream succeeded in helping us do just that. We aren't even close to retirement, and this book really helped us to see that a trip like this was possible at our age.
  
  With the release of its second edition, the Whites' book is as vital as ever when it comes to considering every critical aspect of how to plan, execute and live your own road trip dream. Don't even think of embarking on a journey without reading and following the advice laid out by these two seasoned road trippers.
  
  Great Budgeting Information
  Based on our own spending habits over the last year, I can vouch for the fact that the book's budgeting methodology is on the money. Their budget's "memory joggers" will help you look at every aspect of road trip living that you'll spend money on, from postage to Internet access. They also spotlight important things to consider, like realizing that you need to plan for fluctuating costs in different regions around the country (for example, campground fees in the east are much higher than in the west).
  
  Get Creative, and Get on the Road NOW!
  For working age people like my husband and I, the Whites have included a section about sabbaticals, working from the road, and even "road schooling" for families. The information, suggestions and ideas provided in this section help get a reader's mind around the fact that you don't have to be retired to take time off to travel. With some creativity and flexibility, they illustrate how even working people and families can hit the road. In this edition of the book they've provided a number of resources and ways to research this further.
  
  Keeping In Contact on the Road
  Technology changes so much in just a couple of years, and the revised tech section in the book is great. I can appreciate how the Whites do a good job of presenting a general overview of road technologies, without going over the heads of novice users. They did a fabulous job of explaining air cards for internet access, which is what most people end up using on the road. A comprehensive resource section at the end of the book includes lots of great websites to consult.
  
  Hit The Road with the Information You Need
  By reading and following the White's advice in Live Your Road Trip Dream, we were able to pull off our journey in the kind of organized, budgeted and well-prepared manner that makes us both comfortable. If we had just taken off without doing our research first, this journey might have ended months ago.
  
  There are so many things to consider and planning for something like this can seem overwhelming. Don't let it. Buy Road Trip Dream, and you will receive the comfort and encouragement that it takes to believe in yourself, and know that you can get your way to living your own road trip adventure.
  
  

• Excellent Detail and Wit to boot

  
  By AN1IV4FHLI8ZB on 2004-09-02
  This book is great. It has so much detail on how to go about planning and executing your own road trip. I plan on using much of the advice when I plan my around-the-country NFL trip. I also enjoyed the authors' witty dialogue mixed in with the wisdom such an excursion imparts.
  
  I highly recommend this book.
  
  

• Helped Us Understand and Plan Responsibly

  
  By AD9UBWNCUOWZ6 on 2006-05-07
  I read 3 books about the RV Lifestyle before we left on an adventure of our own. Carol & Phil's book was head and shoulders above the rest with regard to offering helpful advice, and inspiring the excitement of living on the road.
  Carol and Phil traveled for a year in their Class B RV, "The Rolling White House." They played a lot of golf, visited a ton of National Parks, enjoyed several Happy Hours, wrote a very good book that you'll find invaluable in planning a similar trip....... and, mostly, stayed in hotels. Carol's take on their transportation selection is very sound, and she has included many tips about planning and executing a trip (in any kind of RV) that may not cross your mind until it's too late, and she does it all with a personal touch.
  
  
• RV Trip Review
  By A3BRWLM8UUK9QC on 2006-08-06
  I really enjoyed the second half of the book more, when the trip actually got started. However, for non-experienced RVers the first part of the book would be very helpful.
  
  
• I'd like to start with $80,000 a year too!
  By A3471RAAV62W6R on 2007-03-08
  My family and I are preparing to spend a year full-timing in our 5th wheel camper and thought this book would be helpful in some regards to that. Unfortunately, there were no real bits of information for us to use in planning for our trip. Actually, there was not much at all that was helpful for our purposes.
  
  
• Superbly organized compendium of "trip tested" instruction
  By A14OJS0VWMOSWO on 2004-10-12
  The collaboration of the husband and wife team of Phil and Carol White, Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel For A Year For The Cost Of Staying Home is a superbly organized compendium of "trip tested" instruction, information and advice. Chapters address how to build a travel budget, break the news of a lengthy voyage to family and friends, plan a route, stay in touch while on the go, handle emergencies, as well as an engaging narration of the trip the authors took fill this compendium of practical advice and enjoyable armchair traveler stories. Recommended reading for anyone considering an extended road trip of their own.
  
  
  
• We're on the road and loving 'living the dream'
  By A1TOHTRH0HACHH on 2006-07-23
  Can two adults really share a small RV for thousands of miles and not drive each crazy?
  
  Carol and Phil convinced us to give it a try. And we're glad they did. Their excellent book is not only a step-by-step 'how to do it', it's a inspiration.
  
  Reading it gave us the courage to pack up everything we own and hit the road in a Pleasure-way, a compact but comfortable RV with everything you need to keep smiling on the highway.
  
  We've been on the road for two months so far, we've traveled 6,500, and we love the RV life.
  
  Merrily we roll along...
  
  
• Road Trip???
  By A3IJKUC1N4VZHE on 2007-10-05
  These two authors basically drive around the country and pour out verbal diahrea on boring facts about their trip that no one in their right mind should care about. They are actually proud of the fact that they only???? spent 80k in one year of travelling. They must have lived like anaimals! Also, Carol seems to use the exclamation point way too excessively in her writing! If you are not retired and are somewhat of a young age please avoid this book. I did give it one star because if you have a good sense of humour you might enjoy her little stories!
  
  
• Great retirement gift !
  By A3CT7X0KE2QTDX on 2004-10-04
  Everyone talks about taking a trip like this someday! Here is an A toZ "how to" book full of great tips and a delightful read. I have purchased several as retirement gifts and they were a hit!
  
  
• on target
  By AWG5DF3F8SFGO on 2006-12-18
  I am a seasoned Road Warrior with my own book ("HIT THE ROAD, Across America in a Topless Car") and I loved Carol's book because even tho I'm not an RV'er I picked up information on making life easier on US highways...and also how can you financially DO this amazing thing! And I am inspired by her--she kept going even with a cast (not of thousands...but on her foot!)
  Alyce Cornyn-Selby
  
  
• Great Book - Makes me want to do it!
  By A6QM4ZNQYMA71 on 2007-02-03
  My husband and I have been planning a similar trip for when we retire (in 4 years) but this book actually gives a step-by-step guide to preparing and planning your trip (even a master budget). Carol talks about things that I hadn't thought about (mail, voting, income tax filing, etc.). I couldn't put the book down once I started. It made me wish we could leave sooner. I love the idea of a theme - National Parks. Can't wait to "Live My Road Trip Dream."
  
  
  
• But This Book!
  By A3J30RKH3HN349 on 2004-10-21
  With Road Trip Dream, Phil and Carol White show Boomers everywhere that there is life beyond the empty nest. The book is chock full of practical advice, wit and tales of the charm of small town America. It would make a great gift for any couple thinking of launching their own "blue highway" adventure.
  
  
• A wonderful book for planning to see our country
  By A10843O757XDCP on 2005-04-07
  I really enjoyed the insights the Whites offer on how to leave home for a year and see the US. Their approach to planning and experiencing their travels are well thought out and presented. They truly experienced a trip of a lifetime and offer ideas that are truly inspiring and take it from a dream to a realistic plan.
  
  
• Inspirational!
  By A2ZEOH9F11RTES on 2005-05-13
  This wonderful book really shows you how to take a year-long "road trip" for the cost of staying home. There's budget planning guidelines, advice on how to choose your vehicle, and lists galore.
  A "must" for anyone planning a trip of this kind!
  
  
• For me, more of a 3 1/2 star book but since halves are not an option, 4 stars.
  By A1R666WLC3VPOF on 2007-10-02
  The first chapters of this book provide excellent guidance for planning a one-year trip away from home. The authors guide you through the entire process of planning and preparation. Definitely four star information. The authors purchased a small RV, set up their budget, rented out their house and got ready to go. This book shares what worked for them and walks you through all the necessary steps that need to be accomplished prior to your departure including a planned/actual budget and a more frugal version. Both budgets seemed high to me, but if the trip were made today, both might be a real bargin.
  
  The second portion of the book, a journal of their year on the road, seemed sketchy and a bit disjointed. There isn't a lot of information on any of the areas visited, so not as useful as it might of been for some actual travel planning. They spent so many nights at hotels that I'm not sure the motor home was a good investment, but the authors thought it was.
  
  If you are considering traveling away from home for an extended period of time, you will find this book a helpful addition to your library along with one or two good travel guides. If, however, you are more interested in reading about traveling the USA in a small RV, Barbara Thacker's books, while older, are fun armchair travel reading along with Ron and Barb Hofmeister's books on full timing in a much larger RV.
  
  
• DISAPPOINTING - Cost $77,000 for their year long trip...
  By ANCFK52RDX03V on 2008-07-29
  The title of this book is misleading - it says you can live on the road for the same price as staying at home - however, the authors spent about $77,000 (not including any house or mortgage payments while they were gone) - that comes out to about over $3,000 per person, per month. What a ridiculous budget - if I had that much money to spend, travelling in an rv would be a piece of cake - the rest of the book is fluff and gives no practical advice.
  
  Well, obviously, it gives no practical advice about saving money because the authors splurged. I feel cheated by the title of this book.
  
  
• Excellent!...Really encouraged us to explore beyond our comfort zone.
  By A17ZMY2OS1U0LA on 2005-08-19
  It is easy to dream...it is hard to turn that dream into reality. This book is great because it takes all the difficult problems that keep us from living our dream and it shows us a way around them.
  
  Road Trip Dream hit the hard questions head-on; Money, family obligations, what to do with our home, having a happy life on the road...it answered all those things I was wondering but didn't know who to ask.
  
  It showed me that I can really make it happen.
  
  It's a really great book!
  
  
• Terrific Guide for Planning a long trip
  By A36F8TTQHLAXGM on 2005-12-01
  LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM BY PHIL AND CAROL WHITE is the encyclopedia of planning an extended road trip, whether in the United States or other countries. The authors, who had long dreamed of getting away from it all and exploring the US, made their dream happen after retirement in their mid-fifties. In this well-written book they document their trip, partially as a travel log, but more helpfully, as a record of their extensive planning, budgeting, leaving home and relatives, purchases for the travels, itinerary planning and flexibility, and handling bot foreseen and unforseen events for a year on the road. They give charts showing their planned and actual expenditures and suggestions for making a tighter budget work. They tell problems and solutions for leaving aging parents, young grandchildren, and grown children for this extended period. They have several suggestions for modes of travel and the pros and cons of each. They opted for an over-sized van outfitted as a very small RV for camping about four nights a week and choosing budget motels for the other nights. They have suggestions for time and energy management while on the extended vacation, with the reality that the body cannot take constant over-stimulation, no matter how much fun it is. Having experienced many of the joys and problems the authors share in this book because of our extensive RV travels, we highly recommend this book for anyone planning a long trip of several months or more. The authors have made the informative chapters applicable to any type of long and adventurous trip which takes people away from home for several months or more. Their tips will save you many dollars and many tears of frustration along the way. A terrific investment in your vacation!
  
  
• help is helpful
  By A32YJGDDWWRGDZ on 2006-04-04
  this book is very well organized and written for easy reading. although it is about an extended trip, my interest is in shorter adventures but more of them. the thoughts expressed in the book are helpful for planning either type of travel with interpretation to fit your personal situation. because carol and phil covered so much territory, you gain an even greater appreciation for how much there is to see and do in our magnificient country.
  
  
• Are these people organized or what?
  By A2SW4LW8KHQ0AO on 2007-10-12
  
  
  This is not a directory of parks where you can take your RV. Nor is it a road guide to every stop in the U.S. with details of what to see and where to sleep. It is a combination of a how-to-do-it guide and a personal journal of a trip. And it is incredibly useful in the planning of the trip. As a completely disorganized person I admire the highly tuned organization that went into this trip.
  
  When you come down to it, this book could be used by a couple going on an extended automobile trip as well as an RV. All those questions that come up: what to do about mail and bills (especially unexpected ones). Who watches the house or do you rent it out? What happens if there is an accident--either to the vehicle or to the occupants? How do you deal with an emergency at home? (I had no idea it was so easy to simply park your RV in a motel parking lot and take a plane home if need be). And of course--how do you keep out of each other's hair?
  You do get to know the Whites personally through the book. They are obviously good sports. No whining when Carol breaks her ankle. The trip goes on and she hobbles up and down the terrain. They are defintely the poster couple for active retirement--trudging through national parks, rafting down the white water, golfing when they come upon a welcoming green. They are not only active they are obviously well-to-do and are able to stay in motels and eat at the better restaurants when they desire.
  
  It doesn't matter if you don't have their stamina or their yearly income. What they have outlined is a very usable roadmap for taking the year off and traveling while still keeping in touch with family, friends and finances. They have also worked up a budget for a more frugal journey (around $44,000 rather than $78,000).
  
  I mention this book in my newly published "Crafting the Travel Guidebook", because I consider it an excellent example of the double category book. It also happens to be a good read!
  
  
  
• Huck Finn could have used this book!
  By A2EVOU2UQB1GJI on 2006-04-30
  Don't even think of planning or heaven forbid starting your cross-country trek without reading this book. If you're traveling America's blue, or red, or black highways, this is the guide for you. This book has it all. Break a leg. Oops, the author will not find that amusing. Just read it!
  
  
• Inspired and Encouraged !! We're Gonna Do It !
  By A17YYADVAH2ESO on 2006-04-30
  Your book and the ideas behind it have been a real inspiration to us. We have rassled with a lot of the hassles you've raised and found ways around and that encouraged us. We are leaving July 9th for about 10 weeks in our RV as a result. We did shorten our trip plans because of the sky rocketing gas prices and we'll look for ways to shave expense all along the way as we go, too. There will be two family reunions (Missouri and Minnesota), a visit to EAA and AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, and an exploration of "The Great River Road" along the Mississippi. Thanks for giving our need for adventure a boost!
  
  
  
• Better the Second Time Around
  By A17Z0H8TW1E166 on 2008-04-28
  I read the first edition of Live Your Road Trip Dream a few months ago and found it to be a great resource for anyone thinking of spending an extended period on the road. A few weeks ago I read the second edition and think it's even better. Phil and Carol White do an excellent job of taking you along on their trip while pointing out that your dream trip belongs to you, and that you should do your trip your way.
  
  I really like the planning worksheets the Whites include with the book. They're very detailed and useful. I also enjoyed reading about the Whites' continuous effort to stay in touch with their grandchildren and their practical attitude toward the What If? part of travel planning.
  
  I'm a homeschooler myself, so I was intrigued by the idea of spending a year on the road as an educational experience. Although the Whites don't go into great detail on the how-tos of homeschooling or gap year road trips, they provide some ideas to jump start your thinking. Road trips aren't just for retirees.
  
  You'll really enjoy the Whites' travel narrative if you like hearing about other folks' adventures. I felt like Carol was sitting in my living room with a photo album, telling me about her trip, ankle cast and all.
  
  This book won't tell you how to choose the perfect RV or how to repair it if it breaks down. What it will do is encourage you to consider all your travel options, and it will provide ideas, tips and tools to help you along the way.
  
  
• Second Edition Even Better
  By A3UCZYXN3J9M2L on 2008-06-03
  I have had dreams of road trips ever since I was a teenager. Our family went on a vacation in a Dodger Motor Home out west and it was a defining moment for our family before everyone grew up and went off to college and beyond. We still show those pictures at family gettogethers.
  
  I have taken many vacations but no longer than three or four weeks. The idea of getting in a vehicle and being on the road for a year has a certain appeal. Any book with road trip in its title is one I want to read. I was not disappointed.
  
  The Whites definitely thought everythng through: What to do with the mail; how to pay bills; how to pick a vehicle; charting how much money you will need; what gizmos to take; what maps to use; and even packing the vehicle.
  
  They give the realities of being on the road with someone 24/7 and point out that scheduling time with friends on the road is a much needed diversion. They give advice on where to stay, how to save money, how to deal with emergencies and where to go.
  
  They clearly point out that their trip should not be your trip. But their ideas and checklists can make life a lot easier for you.
  
  They made an effort to really see each state, not to mention all the National Parks. I live in Miami Beach which has a great art deco area and am sorry they just saw the barred windows in downtown Miami, which gives a bad overall impression. At least they were able to see the charms of Key West.
  
  I would recommend this to anyone who is planning a road trip whether for a year or for a week. Their zest for travel is contagious and when I actually leave on my road trip, their book will be in the front seat.
  
  
• From Planning the Dream to Putting Rubber to the Road
  By A292NDEAXUNW62 on 2008-09-02
  Before even finishing "Live Your Road Trip Dream" I had moved to the computer and was making plans for an extended summer trip visiting all the lighthouses standing guard over Lake Michigan's shore line. Phil and Carol White have found the perfect balance in crystallizing the dream, planning the "plot," and journaling the journey.
  
  In this second edition of their award winning, how to - planning guide, the Whites have included new sections with suggestions for taking sabbaticals, working on the road, and ideas for using the trip for teaching your children.
  
  I have often heard that half the fun is in the planning. The White's have divided their book into two parts. "Part One" begins with helps for the reader to determine and put into action the steps for making their own personal dream trip.
  
  Detailed suggestions for financing the trip, provision for your home, cars, and family responsibilities are covered in this section. The pointers on choosing your traveling home, planning your route, nailing down the details, and keeping in touch with the family are comprehensive and practical. Carol offers amazing insight into some decisions that may come up along the way as well as anticipating how to handle possible emergencies.
  
  In "Part Two" Carol shares journals of their journey pointing out the places they visited, highlights of the trip, the ambiance of some of the hotels where they stayed, and items of historical interest. They visited all of the 48 contiguous states, 43 National Parks within these states, and many monuments and museums of historical significance.
  Phil added some "Phil-osophies" regarding the sport halls of fame, including golf, some games they watched, and a man's view of many of their stops along the way.
  
  The resource list, the check off lists worksheets, and sample itineraries in the appendix are invaluable.
  
  Carol's writing is engaging and positive, and resonates with a contagious spirit which instills in the reader the motivation to move from a dream, to a plan, to making that dream become a reality.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Living on the road
  By A2UXDWRBZX4775 on 2006-01-02
  this is the best book!! My husband and I are planning to travel cross country and he bought me this book for christmas... I havent been able to put it down... very helpful in giving you a framework to start planning... opens your eyes to many areas to further research... we highly recommend the book...
  
  
• listen to the voices of first-hand experience
  By A17HFBGT844XTR on 2007-07-18
  Phil and Carol White amply demonstrate that anyone can live "a road trip dream" as they thoughtfully share their proven insider tips for enjoyable RV travels. Interesting to discover, according to the authors, that a big mistake first-timers make is overplanning. Read this book and "just do it!"
  
  
• Entertaining and loaded with great info
  By A29K4OHZV5SKVP on 2007-08-26
  This is a very entertaining book loaded with great information about extended traveling. Be it just a few weeks or a year or more, the authors have dispensed great ideas on how to handle the everyday life you leave behind (for whatever period of time).
  
  I finished the book in about a week, reading it for it's entertainment value. I will be retiring soon and my wife and I plan on taking extended "vacations" in our RV. I will read the book again (and again) so I can garner as much information as I can.
  
  

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