s
tem
[tem-puh-rer-ee]
adjective
Not permanent; existing only for a period of time
Temporary
noh
[noh-mad]
noun
A person who moves from place to place; wanderer; itinerant
Welcome to Temporary Nomad, the adventurer's guide to road trips on a budget. After embarking on my own cross-country road trip last summer, I learned so much about life on the road and wanted to share my insights with fellow adventure lovers. Having spent countless hours researching everything from where to sleep, to what to see, to what to bring, I wanted to create a guide that collected all of that research and knowledge in one convenient place. The following content includes recommendations, suggestions, and tips based on my previous experience. This was just my experience, so feel free to pick and choose what is most relevant to you when planning your own road trip. No matter where your time on the road takes you, enjoy every moment of being a temporary nomad.
L
et's go
Adventure awaits
What is a Temporary Nomad?
Good vibes always,
Welcome to Temporary Nomad, the adventurer's guide to road trips on a budget. In the summer of 2017, I embarked on a cross-country road trip, making it to 26 states and 15 National Parks during my 33 days on the road. As a creative-brained individual, I thought to myself while on the road "I should keep track of things I learn in the off chance I want to create some sort of platform to share them with others one day". Well, lo and behold, here we are! This guide is meant to serve as a starting point for anyone interested in embarking on a road trip. Learn some things, explore my journey, and get inspired to try life as a temporary nomad. In the words of Jack Kerouac, "There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars." Adventure on, my friends.
Kelsey Lane
Hello adventurers!
About the creator
How to use this guide
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37.7916° N, 105.5943° W
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Where
My Trip
what
How
Inspiration
My favs
My Journey
)
(
for free
Where To Sleep
State Parks
Cities
Roadside Attractions
Showers and laundry
National Parks
What to Listen to
What to eat
Hiking
Water Activities
What to bring
Technology and the outdoors
How To Stay Safe
How to Sleep in your car
Leave No Trace
How to Plan
How To Pack
Tent camping car camping
vs.
Camping 101
What
My Favs
Showers & Laundry
Where to Sleep
What to Eat
What to Bring
What to Listen To
Technology & the Outdoors
How to Stay Safe
How to Pack
How to Sleep in the Car
Tent vs. Car Camping
Hover over each question to see my answers
National Parks, cool hikes, hot springs, Dark Sky Preserves etc.
I'm flexible. Whatever allows me to see as much as possible.
Anything outdoors; hiking, exploring, etc.
Anything that is free, primitive is fine
Yes, my boyfriend Michael
Ideally between $1,500 -$2,000
About 6 weeks
How to plan
The first step to beginning your cross country road trip is determining your route. One of the best resources for planning is Roadtrippers, a web and mobile platform that allows you to plan your own route from scratch or use others routes as a basis for inspiration. By inputting all of your stops onto a map, Roadtrippers will estimate the total number of miles you'll drive, your time and distance between stops, and even give your approximate gas total based on your car's make/model. As you begin determining your route, these are some important questions to ask yourself:
Planning out your road trip is a great way to ensure that you get to see and do everything you want to. Prior to leaving, I created a tentative plan for each day with a possible place to camp each night. But make sure to leave some wiggle room in your itinerary for unexpected stops along the way. Some of these unexpected route changes were some of my favorite memories on the road.
This last question is especially important and will make a big difference on how much money you spend. Having grown up camping, I was comfortable camping every night while on the road. More often than not this meant primitive camping (i.e. no amenities at all). If this way of camping isn't for you, that's completely fine! Identify what would make you most comfortable and go from there.
How much time do I have? Am I traveling with anyone? What do I want to see? What do I want to do? How much money can I spend? How much time am I comfortable spending in the car each day? What sort of accommodations would I prefer?
Digital Leave No Trace
In the past few years, many have said that "social media is ruining the outdoors". Social media is a relatively new entity in the outdoors. As a result, more and more people are visiting the places that they are seeing on social media. There are both pros and cons to this, which are summed up nicely in this article by Modern Hiker. I didn't come across this idea of 'digital leave no trace' until after I had returned home from my time on the road, though I wish I had. Much of the inspiration behind my route was from seeing pictures of places on social media platforms like Instagram that I wanted to see myself. While seeking inspiration from social media was incredibly positive for me, it's important to be aware of and educate others about ways to preserve places for future enjoyment.
p
Hover to learn more Click to download
,
Find My Friends allows you to easily locate friends and family using your Apple devices.
Find Friends
For just $9.99/month (or $4.99 if you're a student) you can access all of your music offline to listen anytime.
Spotify
Roadtrippers helps people plan by streamlining discovery, planning, booking and navigating.
Roadtrippers
The ultimate camping app that lets you find Campgrounds, RV Parks and services with or without internet.
Camp & RV
AAA lets you contact the closest roadside assistance and helps them locate you. Membership required.
AAA
Waze is a navigation app that also provides user-submitted information about travel times and route details.
Waze
GasBuddy provides a crowd-sourced list of gas prices to help you find the best deal wherever you are.
GasBuddy
Apps
Your smartphone will be your greatest asset on the road. Not only will it help you plan and keep you connected (though not too connected, of course) it can do everything from helping you navigate to sharing your location with loved ones to know you're safe. Here is a list of apps that I used the most during my trip that I was so glad I had:
&
Technology the outdoors
Download the temporary nomad national parks Checklist
2011 Subaru outback
The car I drove
see my route on roadtrippers
Hover over each icon to see my route
Miles driven
11,000
Days on the road
33
States visited
26
15
$
Dollars spent
1,500
Click on the GPS coordinates to see each park on a map
There are 59 National Parks in the United States. Of these, 47 can be found within the continental US. In 2017, roughly 331 million people visited the parks as a whole. The most visited was Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee with over 11.3 million visitors, while the least visited was Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska with 11,177 visitors.
42.8684° N, 122.1685° W
38.9833° N, 114.3000° W
38.5754° N, 107.7416° W
41.2132° N, 124.0046° W
38.3269° N, 109.8783° W
38.7331° N, 109.5925° W
37.5930° N, 112.1871° W
48.7596° N, 113.7870° W
43.7904° N, 110.6818° W
44.4280° N, 110.5885° W
37.8651° N, 119.5383° W
40.3428° N, 105.6836° W
37.2982° N, 113.0263° W
36.1070° N, 112.1130° W
If you're planning on seeing more than one National Park, consider getting the Annual National Parks Pass. For $80 you will have unlimited access to any National Park for the duration of a year. (Most parks cost about $30 to get in for the day.)
Download the official Temporary Nomad national parks checklist to keep track of the parks you have visited
National Parks Checklist
see visitation stats for all parks
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Each of the 15 parks I visited are below with information on their visitation rankings. The larger number signifies each parks' rank in popularity out of all 59 parks, and the smaller number below each state's name signifies the number of people that visited the park in 2017.
#49
Nevada
168,028
Great Basin
of the
#43
307,143
Black Canyon gunnison
Colorado
#40
California
445,000
Redwood
#38
468,935
Great Sand Dunes
#27
711,749
Crater Lake
Oregon
#26
742,271
Canyonlands
Utah
#16
1,539,028
Arches
#12
2,571,684
Bryce
#10
3,305,512
Glacier
Montana
#9
3,317,000
Grand Teton
Wyoming
#6
4,116,524
Yellowstone
#5
4,336,890
Yosemite
#4
4,437,215
Rocky Mountain
#3
4,504,812
Zion
#2
Arizona
6,254,238
Grand Canyon
With 186 state parks, Washington State has the most state parks out of any US state!
Did you know?
10,336
# of state parks in the U.S.
25 Best State Parks in the USA
Find out what parks are available in your state
34.9373° N, 101.6476° W
State parks are incredibly underrated, especially when compared to National Parks. Many don't realize that state parks have just as much, if not more, picturesque scenery than the more well-known destinations. They also have a fraction of the crowds. In 2016, there were roughly 791 million visitors to state parks in the USA. While this number sounds massive, if you averaged it out with the 10,336 state parks that are available, roughly 76,528 people would have visited each state park. That's nothing compared to the 11.3 million people that visited Great Smoky Mountain National Park alone in 2016!
There are countless roadside attractions all across America. These can include anything from art installations, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX (pictured here), to kitschy museums to guiness world record holders, like Worlds Tallest Corn Stalk in Shelby, Iowa. My personal favorite was the Oregon Vortex, a spherical field of force where visual and physical phenomena can be observed. While the $12.75 entry fee was a bit higher than I had hoped, it was well worth it for the hour long program that followed. Keep your eyes peeled for roadside attractions along your route! Some of the best ones can be ones you don't plan to see and end up visiting on a whim. If you're interested in seeing all the crazy attractions out there, check out Roadside America's Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions.
35.1872° N, 101.9871° W
Roadtrippers guide to Roadside Attractions
37.8199° N, 122.4783° W
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If you know you're planning on visiting some cities and you still want to stay money conscious, do some research on parking options before you go. Given that San Fran was an unexpected bonus on my trip, I didn't do research on parking beforehand and ended up spending $18.00 for an hour and a half of parking downtown.
For some, cities are must-see destinations. For others, like myself, they are busy, expensive, and full of traffic. That being said, cities were never a destination on my road trip, but I still managed to see a few. The biggest and most exciting was San Francisco. A quick afternoon in San Fran allowed for a bit of exploring the infamous Fishermans Wharf, a lunch stop at In-and-Out, and of course a photo op at the Golden Gate Bridge (pictured here).
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a
Tip
To beat the crowds (especially in National Parks) plan to start your hike as early as you can.
37.2690° N, 112.9469° W
There are no shortage of incredible hiking trails all across the United States. Some trails, like Angels Landing (pictured here), can be found in our National Parks. Others can be found in any number of places; state parks, national forests, national recreation areas, and others. Trails can differ in length, level of difficulty, and popularity. Some, like the Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park, require permits while others, like Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, do not. If you're planning to do any hiking while on the road, there are a number of resources that can help you plan. Sites like AllTrails provide detailed information on hikes all over the US.
See more great hikes in the US
States with hot springs
Hover over each photo to see the location
Quail Creek State Park Utah
Buckeye Hot Springs California
Lake McDonald Glacier National Park Montana
Found in 21 of 50 states, there are 1,661 hot springs in the United States. Some cost money to use while others are completely free. Some are right off the road while others require a lengthy hike. Do your research before going so you know what to expect (especially if you are not comfortable with the possible 'clothing-optional' crowd). Check out this map to see hot springs across the US based on their temperature. Some are too hot to take a dip in, like those in Yellowstone National Park. Check out this article and this article for suggestions on the best hot springs to visit in the US.
Hot Springs
While not particularly budget friendly (unless you have your own), kayaking is a great way to see places from a new perspective. I went kayaking on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park and would highly recommend it.
Kayaking
300
With more than Nevada has the most hot springs of any state!
Flathead National Forest, Montana
Dry Fork slot canyon, utah
Glacier National Park, Montana
Muley Point, Utah
Hebgen Lake, Montana
San Isabel National Forest, Colorado
11
Differences between glamping and camping
The type of camping you plan to do greatly affects what you need to know. The most luxurious type of camping is called glamping. This typically involves sleeping in cabins or yurts with all amenities available. Traveling in a RV or van also offers similar luxuries, depending of course on the type of vehicle you're in. The entirety of my road trip was spent car or tent camping. The amount of amenities available depends on where you are. You can pay to camp in a campground, which typically offers at least basic amenities, or you can camp primitively for free on public land. No matter what type of camping you intend to do, these 3 things are important to know and be mindful of.
20 types of people you can find camping
If you're camping somewhere without access to bathroom facilities, it's important to follow the Leave No Trace principles to ensure that you leave the area as clean or cleaner than you found it. When going #1, it's best to be at least 200 feet from any nearby water source. When going #2, walk at least 200 feet from your campsite and dig a hole that is 6-8 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Be sure to cover up your hole with dirt after you have finished and ALWAYS pack out your toilet paper. To learn more, check out this article on How to Go to the Bathroom in the Woods.
Bathroom Basics
food storage
Be sure to store your food so that animals cannot get into it. For me, this was as simple as keeping it in the car over night. If you are camping in a tent and don't have access to storing your food in a vehicle (though unlikely while on a road trip), another option is to tie your food up in a tree. For more detailed information on this, check out this guide.
Fire Safety
Always check the fire regulations and conditions in the area where you are camping before starting a fire. Regulations can also apply to the use of a camp stove, so be sure to look into it before going.
Pre-Departure Tip
Test out sleeping in your car for a night before leaving on your road trip to make sure you can sleep comfortably.
37.0379° N, 112.7148° W
Car camping
Tent camping
I felt safer in the car.
Setting up the tent every night was more work than I wanted.
Normally setting up the tent is not much work at all, but after driving all day the idea of setting up the tent and having to take it down in the morning was less than thrilling. Plus, sleeping in the car meant that I didn't have to schlep all my stuff (pillows, sleeping bags, etc.) to and from the tent. Though the car had significantly less room to spread out, the ease of setting up camp was well worth it. Also, I genuinely felt safer in the car, especially if any animals wandered through camp at night. The ability to lock myself in gave me a much greater peace of mind.
While camping on the road, I had the option of either sleeping in my car or sleeping in my tent. My tentative plan had been to sleep in the tent most nights and have the option to sleep in the car as a back up. That being said, I had everything I needed for either option and I was so glad I did. Contrary to my original plan, I ended up sleeping in the car almost every night. I made this decision for a couple of reasons:
Click each number to learn more
If you're sleeping somewhere with other people around, hang towels over your windows for more privacy. (Plus, it's a great way to dry them out, too.)
5
Open your windows at night to allow for ventilation. To keep bugs out, make or buy window screens.
4
Have a designated spot for your important items (keys, phone, etc.) where you know you wont lose them.
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Make sure you are parked somewhere totally flat (especially before moving everything to the front seat).
Move everything that would infringe on your sleeping area to the front seats.
3
Use a memory foam mattress topper as your base. (A full size one folded in half fit perfectly in the back of my Subaru.)
2
1
Bring your favorite pillow (or blanket), no matter how much space it takes up.
^
Comfortably
How to sleep in the car
Download Camp RV iOS
Click each icon to learn more
The easiest way to find a place to camp for free is by using the Camp & RV app. While the $10 price tag may deter you, I can assure you that you will get your moneys worth. This app was an absolute life saver on the road and is worth so much more than the $10 you pay for it. The best part about it is it doesn't require cell service to load content you have loaded previously, which was an absolute necessity given the lack of cell service I encountered daily. The Camp & RV app will give you all the information you need to know about where to camp at any of the options detailed to the right.
If you're really in a pinch and need somewhere to sleep (in your car) for a night, most Walmarts will allow you to crash in their parking lot. You must sleep in your vehicle and setting up any of your equipment is heavily frowned upon. In other words, I wouldn't recommend setting up your camping chairs and table to cook dinner on your camp stove. While it certainly may not be the greatest nights sleep you'll get, it's a great backup to have just in case. Plus you'll have bathroom facilities just a short walk away! It's important to note that not all Walmarts will allow you to stay overnight. Best practice is to consult this Walmart No Stay List or to call the store and ask (it's best to ask for a manager). I only had to resort to sleeping at Walmart once while on the road, but it was nice to know that the option was there.
Walmart Parking Lots
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages about 1/8 of the land found in the U.S., most of which is found in the west. Just like National Forests, you can typically camp on BLM land for free as long as you are outside of developed campgrounds, but this involves a bit more planning ahead. The BLM manages a wide range of activities on the land including cattle grazing and mining operations, so it's important to make sure that the area you are hoping to be in is suitable for camping beforehand. There are also no amenities on BLM land, so be sure to pack everything out and practice Leave No Trace. While there is an interactive map available on the official BLM site, it's not particularly user friendly. As mentioned above, I would recommend using the Camp & RV App to find places to camp on BLM land.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
National Forests & Grasslands
The US Forest Service (USFS) manages 175 National Forests and Grasslands across the U.S. You can camp for free in the vast majority of these as long as you are outside of any established recreation areas or developed campgrounds. Best practice is to double check just in case. You can do this either online or by calling the ranger office in the area. If you are hoping to have a campfire, this is also a great time to check whether there are any fire regulations in place in the area you’ll be camping in. It's important to note that there are no amenities (restrooms, picnic tables, trashcans, etc.) so practicing Leave No Trace is a must. You can camp in any National Forest or Grassland for up to 14 days.
free
For
Where to sleep
Check out Backcountry or Campsaver for great discounts.
?
Need new gear at a decent price
the official Temporary Nomad Pack List
Coleman Xtreme Cooler
Quick Dry Towel
Michelin Road Atlas
GoPro Camera
Alps Mountaineering 3-Person Tent
Birkenstocks
Little River Co. Hammock
Water Container (7 gallons)
Nalgene
EMS Sleeping Bag
Camelbak Octane 22L Pack
Sony DSLR Camera
things I couldn't have lived without
How much space do you have in your vehicle? How long will you be on the road? What can you buy now to save money later? What can't you live without?
Packing for a road trip involves a mix of practicality and comfort. In other words, what do you need to have and what do you want to have? In determining what to bring on the road, here's a few questions to think about from the start:
For more awesome recipe ideas check out Fresh Off The Grid
Click each image to learn more
Make sure to recycle your cans
Stock up on nonperishable foods like canned goods for easy meals that don't require refrigeration. Some canned items that I liked to have on hand were corned beef hash, garbanzo beans, black beans, corn, peas, and tomatoes. Other foods that are great to have include rice, quinoa, farro, and pasta.
Nonperishable items
Measure out portions of spices and put them in smaller containers to save space. This also works great for bulk items like flour or sugar. Pre-measure what you need for your favorite recipes and put into baggies to make baking on the road a breeze.
Temporary nomad Tip
For a super easy snack that's delicious and nutritious, try roasted chickpeas! Open and drain a can of chickpeas and place into a skillet. Toss with olive oil and your choice of seasoning (I love Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute). Roast for 15-20 minutes or until your desired crispiness.
Easy Snack
Tip:
If possible, buy block ice as it melts slower than ice cubes and will last longer.
Having a cooler is one of the easiest ways to make fresh food every single day. In order to keep your food cold, you will need to buy ice frequently. One bag of ice would typically last 3-4 days. You can find ice almost anywhere (gas stations, supermarkets, etc.).
Keeping food cold
i
Dinner
Hot Dogs Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce Cous Cous Quinoa or Farro
Lunch
Sandwiches with Cold Cuts Grilled Cheese Rice and Beans
Breakfast
Granola Bars Corned Beef Hash Blueberry Muffins
For some, road trips can revolve completely around food (like this one). There are some fantastic places to eat all across the nation! While I would have loved to eat my way across America, financially it wasn’t an option so I opted to cook almost all of my meals. The two most important items to have when cooking on the road are a camp stove and a cooler. I picked up both at the last minute for fairly inexpensively at Walmart (if you have the option to plan ahead I highly recommend supporting your local sporting goods store and buying them there instead). I bought an Ozark Trail 2-Burner Camp Stove and a Coleman 28-Quart Xtreme Cooler, both of which were fantastic for what I needed them for.
Go-To Staples
Clever packing tips and tricks
Stack items behind your driver and passenger seat for easy access. Plus, you can put your pillow on top to extend how much space you have for sleeping.
Keep items in your glove compartment/center console that are important and you use most frequently.
behind passenger seat
behind drivers seat
Anything that needs to be kept cold.
Cooler
Tips Tricks
Any camping gear that is too large to fit in your smaller box like a camp stove, propane, extra rope, etc.
Gear
All your nonperishable items like canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, spices, etc.
Food Box
Plates, bowls, utensils, pots, pans, sponge, dish soap, dish towel
Kitchen Supplies
Lighter, matches, mallet, rope, clothes-pins, bug spray, etc.
Camping supplies
Whatever items you don't have a defined place for. Everyone needs a miscellaneous box.
Miscellaneous
How to pack
AAA s List of essentials to keep in your car
'
Use the GasBuddy app to find the cheapest gas prices wherever you are.
Services
Depending on how far you intend to drive, you will most likely need to stop for an oil change and/or tire rotation. Usually, best practice is to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, but it ultimately depends on your car (you can find this information in your owners manual). Make sure to plan ahead to ensure you'll be somewhere with these services around the time that you'll need them done.
l
Highly recommended
AAA Membership Spare Tire Air Compressor
Must-haves
Owners Manual Tire Pressure Gauge Engine Coolant Fluid Atlas/Paper Maps Jumper Cables Duct Tape
car maintenance
What to have in your first aid kit
9
Extra water Emergency food First aid kit Blankets for warmth Local emergency numbers
While you will have everything you brought with you on the road in your vehicle, always be prepared for an emergency situation. Here's a list of things you should always have just in case:
Always have emergency supplies
If you know you will be somewhere without cell service for an extended period of time, consider investing in a SPOT Satellite GPS.
Have someone back home that you know you plan to check in with daily (or as close to daily as possible). Have a plan in place for what to do if this person doesn't hear from you after a certain amount of time. You will not have cell service everywhere you go, especially in rural areas. If possible, let someone know that there's a possibility you will be without service and do your best to get in touch with them as soon as you are in service again.
Check in with someone daily
If you have an iPhone, use the app Find Friends to share your location with someone (or a few people). It updates constantly depending on your location and allows someone to keep track of where you are without you having to do anything to check in.
Share your location with a loved one
How to stay safe
Click on each step to learn more
37.7677° N, 119.4894° W
43.2633° N, 122.4337° W
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
In popular areas: Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. In pristine areas: Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors
Leave no trace
Leave No Trace is built on seven core principles that are used to communicate the best available minimum impact guidance for enjoying the outdoors responsibly. For more information visit www.LNT.org.
If you have a gym membership to a national chain like Planet Fitness, look to see if there are any gyms along your route that you can shower at. (For just $20/month, you can get a membership that lets you visit any Planet Fitness location in the nation.)
Many state parks have showering facilities available. Some have day-use pricing, like LaPine State Park in Oregon, which only cost $2 to shower. Others, like Lake Tenkiller State Park in Oklahoma offer facilities to campers spending the night (a site and access to facilities cost $14 for the night).
With an average rate of $12, truck stops can be a fairly inexpensive place to stop and shower. The majority are known to have really nice facilities, too.
Truck Stops
Protect the environment
For any washing you plan to do while camping (especially your dishes!) make sure to use biodegradable soap to ensure you aren't adding chemicals into the environment.
Baby wipes are a great way to get clean in a pinch when you don't have access to a shower.
Overall, the best place that I found to do laundry and have a quality shower was at KOA Campgrounds. Their facilities were great and easy to use. I did my best to avoid having to pay to camp in a campground the majority of my nights on the road, but when I did pay for one, KOA was the best bang for my buck and it was a good place to recharge and get clean. On average, a night at a KOA would cost about $30.
How frequently you shower and do laundry is completely up to you. I definitely roughed it on my road trip (with the goal of spending as little money as possible), so my experience may have been a bit more rustic than what you are looking for. I showered roughly twice a week and did laundry 3 times throughout the course of my 33-day long trip.
Other budget friendly options:
Showers Laundry
Leave No Trace Center
National Park Geek
National Park Service
Parks Project
Modern Hiker
U.S. Interior
The Dyrt
HipCamp
Tent Diaries
Outside Magazine
Choose Mountains
Wilderness Society
The Adventure Project
National Parks USA
Outdoor Project
Nomad
Roam
Fresh Off The Grid
Roam the Planet
Rachel Pohl
Project Van Life
Women Who Hike
Wilderness Culture
Go Parks
Recreation .Gov
Modern Outdoors
Our Camp Life
Mountain Chicks
Ever Changing Horizon
Adventure Enthusiasts
Camp 4 Collective
Outside Project
Trekking Toes
Hiking Culture
US Forest Service
Backpacker Magazine
Forest
Duct Tape Then Beer
Backcountry
Brianna Madia
She Explores
Camp Everyday
Jacob Scoville
Outbound Collective
Women Who Explore
Take More Adventures
Outdoor Industry Association
The Clymb
59 Project
American Hiking Society
Road Trip Nation
Everywhere Co.
Spotify is a great way to listen to music anytime and anywhere. With a premium subscription, you can download music to your device so you can listen on the go without using any data.
Radio
If your car is compatible with Sirius XM Radio, consider signing up for a free trial or purchase a subscription. Being able to listen to something was so much better than scanning the radio for a channel that wasn't filled with static.
The Dirtbag Diaries is a grassroots podcast dedicated to the sometimes serious, often humorous stories from wild places. Listen to stories about the outdoors, adventure, and everything in between.
The Moth shares live stories that are told without any notes. It's mission is to promote the art and craft of storytelling and to honor and celebrate the diversity and commonality of human experience.
RadioLab publishes podcasts "that follow some detour or left turn, explore music we love, take you to live events, and generally try to shake up your universe."
Podcasts
Listen to the playlist from my road trip
Temporary Nomad Playlist
Dry Fork Slot Canyon, Utah
Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Natural bridges national monument, utah
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Water Sports
What To Do
What To See
My journey
How To Plan
Tales from the Road
Showers and Laundry
Car Maintenance
Where to sleep for free
How to sleep in your car
Tent Camping vs Car Camping
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Safety
Hygiene
Tales from the road
Where To sleep
