Making a map!

Before reading this, read through "Getting Started" for more preliminary planning advice.

Step 4: Starting with a map

After thinking though steps 1-3, my favorite way to start the planning process is to visualize the trip.

I like to use Google's custom maps. If you google, "Google My Map," you will be prompted to log into your google account and create a new map. Then you will see this screen. You are making layers on the map- start by titling it and then click the direction button and you will be able to put in your starting location.

I would suggest if you're flying- to put in the flight destination and then just start trying things!

Say you land in Las Vegas, and you're flying out of Vegas- see where you can drive to from there. Put in the Grand Canyon for instance and see how long that drive is.

Similarly to how you're layering the map, start layering your trip.

1. The first layer is the starting and ending locations

2. The second layer is the time you have to travel

3. The third layer is the time you want to spend in each place

4. The fourth layer is the locations you add

The addresses you add don't need to be exact, just get an idea of how far you can travel with your budgeted time.

Visit "Time Budgeting" for more information on how to do this. This is by far the most difficult part of planning.