Your second option is to figure out generally where you want to go and just go! This can be exciting, and it gives you the flexibility to stay as long as you want in places and change course as ideas come up or your time allows. You’ll have to be nimble and book hotels as needed when you have a better idea of where you’d like to stay. But in the end, it’s not much more effort than pre-booking, and you’ll avoid all the stress related to having to meet timelines. It also allows you to change course if you find something along the way that catches your interest and that you prefer to invest your time in seeing instead.
If you’re driving a recreational vehicle (RV), more planning is recommended as campsites are limited and fill up even during mid-week. RV campgrounds vary from budget state park sites in pristine locations with essential amenities to private campgrounds that have pools, Wi-Fi, restaurants, and playgrounds. Another option is “boondocking” or off the grid camping. This can include parking lots not generally used for motorhomes (Walmart has a company policy of allowing RVs to park in their parking lots at night) or anywhere in the undeveloped natural environment. Boondocking is the way to go for budget travelers who want to avoid campground fees and want solitude in the natural environment.