How to Plan a USA Wheelchair Road Trip

Road trips offer freedom and flexibility, making them a fantastic travel option for wheelchair users. However, careful planning can make a big difference in ensuring accessible accommodations, attractions, and rest stops along the way. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning a wheelchair-accessible road trip, with tips on accessible routes, stops, vehicle adaptations, and more.

1. Choose Your Destination and Route Carefully

Your destination sets the tone for the entire trip, so look for areas with accessibility features, such as flat terrain, accessible parking, and wheelchair-friendly attractions. When planning your route, keep accessibility in mind for the journey, not just the destination.

Popular Accessible Routes:

• California’s Pacific Coast Highway: Offers accessible coastal stops and wheelchair-friendly viewpoints.
• Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina): Known for its scenic, accessible viewpoints and wheelchair-friendly nature trails.
• Historic Route 66: Features wheelchair-accessible sites in cities like Albuquerque, Tulsa, and Chicago, as well as accessible lodging.
• Research Roadside Stops and Cities: Identify wheelchair-accessible rest stops, parks, and attractions along the way. Many state and national park websites provide accessibility information, and apps like Wheelmap and AccessNow can help you find accessible places en route.

2. Choose an Accessible Vehicle or Adapted Rental

If you don’t own an adapted vehicle, renting one is a great option. Accessible rentals can come with features like hand controls, ramps, and lifts, making it easier to travel comfortably. Companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and MobilityWorks offer accessible van rentals with options for ramps, hand controls, and wheelchair restraints.

Important Adaptations to Consider:

• Hand Controls: Useful if you’ll be driving and need assistance with acceleration and braking.
• Ramp or Lift: Essential for easily entering and exiting the vehicle.
• Swivel Seats or Transfer Boards: These are great if you can transfer but need additional help getting into the seat.
• Plan for Vehicle Charging or Fueling Needs: If renting an electric vehicle, plan your route around charging stations, and ensure they are accessible if needed.

3. Book Accessible Accommodations in Advance

Not all hotels and lodgings are wheelchair-friendly, so booking in advance can help ensure you have an accessible place to rest each night.

Look for ADA-compliant rooms. In the U.S., hotels are legally required to have a certain number of accessible rooms, which usually feature wider doorways, roll-in showers, grab bars, and lower counters. Verify Accessibility Features: Call ahead to confirm that the room meets your needs. Ask about features like bed height, roll-in showers, accessible bathrooms, and accessible parking spaces.

Accessible vacation rentals are possible. Sites like Airbnb and VRBO have filters for accessible properties. Look for reviews from other wheelchair users to get real-life insights into the property’s accessibility.

4. Plan Accessible Activities Along the Route

Many destinations offer wheelchair-friendly attractions, parks, and historical sites, but it helps to research accessibility features in advance.

• National and State Parks: Many parks have accessible trails, viewpoints, and picnic areas. Check out the National Park Service and America’s State Parks websites, which provide detailed accessibility information.
• Museums and Historical Sites: Most museums, historical sites, and landmarks have accessible pathways and entrances. Websites often include accessibility details, and calling ahead can help confirm specific features.
• City Tours and Experiences: Many cities offer accessible tours, such as boat rides with ramps, accessible bus tours, or city tours adapted for wheelchair users. Companies like Access Tours and Wheelchair Getaways specialize in wheelchair-accessible tours.

5. Find Accessible Rest Stops and Bathrooms

Roadside rest stops can be challenging for wheelchair users, so it’s essential to know where accessible restrooms and facilities are located. Large service stations along major highways tend to have accessible facilities, but it’s a good idea to call ahead if you’re unsure.

Apps and Tools for Accessible Rest Stops:

• iExit and Rest Stops Plus can help you find rest areas along highways, with some apps showing accessible features.
• Wheelmate lists accessible bathrooms and parking, especially useful for finding options near your route.

6. Prepare for Emergencies

Travel can be unpredictable, so having a plan for emergencies is essential.

• Roadside Assistance: Consider signing up for roadside assistance programs like AAA or Good Sam, which offer services for accessible vehicles.
• Medical Needs: Bring extra medical supplies or mobility aids, such as spare wheelchair parts, to avoid disruptions if repairs are needed.
• Local Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of hospitals, urgent care centers, and medical equipment suppliers along your route.

7. Use Accessibility Apps and Resources

Several apps and resources can make your road trip planning easier by identifying accessible stops, bathrooms, and accommodations.

• AccessNow: A crowdsourced app that maps accessible places worldwide, including restaurants, hotels, attractions, and parks.
• Wheelmap: Another crowdsourced app that lists accessible places, focusing on finding wheelchair-friendly areas.
• Google Maps: Use Google Street View to preview stops or hotels for accessibility. User reviews on Google Maps sometimes provide valuable insights on accessibility features.

Sample Wheelchair-Accessible Road Trip Itineraries Across the USA

Here are some sample itineraries to inspire your next wheelchair-accessible road trip:

Northeast – New York City to Boston
Day 1: New York City to Hartford, Connecticut
Accessible stops: Bear Mountain State Park, New York; accessible museums in Hartford.
Day 2: Hartford to Boston
Explore Boston’s accessible Freedom Trail and public parks.

Southeast – Charleston, South Carolina to Savannah, Georgia
Day 1: Charleston
Accessible sites: Historic Charleston, Rainbow Row, and Boone Hall Plantation.
Day 2: Savannah
Scenic squares and Forsyth Park, which feature accessible paths.

Midwest – Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Day 1: Chicago
Visit Millennium Park and Navy Pier, both wheelchair-accessible.
Day 2: Lake Geneva, WI
Accessible lakefront paths, boutiques, and nearby scenic spots.

Southwest – Santa Fe, New Mexico to Sedona, Arizona
Day 1: Santa Fe
Explore accessible galleries and plazas.
Day 2: Sedona
Scenic pull-outs along the Red Rock Scenic Byway with accessible paths.

West Coast – Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon
Day 1: Seattle
Accessible stops: Pike Place Market and Seattle Waterfront.
Day 2: Portland
Relax in the accessible Portland Japanese Garden and scenic downtown

Pacific Coast – San Francisco to Los Angeles, California
Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey
Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium and accessible beach trails.
Day 2: Big Sur to Santa Barbara
Scenic stops at accessible viewpoints and accessible trails along the coast.