How to feel confident driving solo through the Deep South

If you're dreaming of a road trip through the American South, but you're nervous at the thought of hiring a car for the first time or driving solo through this part of the USA. This is the guide for you – I've just finished an epic 10-day Deep South USA road trip through Mississippi and Louisiana.

So, let me share some tips and advice from an experience road tripper and solo female traveller for how to feel confident driving solo through the American South for the first time. The American South has a lot of stereotypes and cultural connotations that can make the prospect of driving through it both very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking.

If you’re nervous at the thought of getting behind the wheel of one of those massive American SUVs and heading South of the Mason-Dixon line, I promise you that a lot of your fears are completely unjustified. Trust me, I know how easy it is to get caught up in anxiety about everything from driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road to taking a wrong turn and ending up somewhere straight out of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But honestly, within a couple of hours on the road you’ll realise that all that worrying really wasn’t worth it.

For those who are new here, I'm Lucy, a solo travel expert and adventure seeker who is passionate about giving women the tools (and the confidence) to try solo travel. I've travelled around the globe to 60+ countries and I pride myself in giving real, raw, honest advice to help you plan your dream trip, try exploring lesser-known destinations and weave in unique and authentic experiences to every itinerary. 

However, if you’re still nervous, here are some tips to help you feel more confident driving through the American South solo for the first time...

Driving Solo through the Deep South USA? Here's where you'll find:

1. Why the American South is perfect for a first solo road trip
2. Finding the right car for your American South Road Trip
3. Don’t overplan your road trip
4. Some Deep South route suggestions for first-timers:
5. Safety tips for solo travellers driving the Deep South

Why the American South is perfect for a first solo road trip

If you're new to driving in America, the South is actually a good region to start. Unlike parts of the Northeast (which suffer from horrible traffic) or the deserts of the Southwest (which can involve many hours or even days of driving between towns), the South has a great balance of easy-to-drive roads and accessible facilities.

Another point in the South’s favour is how friendly it is. Admittedly ‘friendly’ isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when a lot of Brits think of the Deep South, but many (maybe even the majority) of the stereotypes that reach us here are very inaccurate. In the USA, the South is known for its hospitality. People will strike up friendly conversations with you, be curious about who you are and where you’re from, and will drop everything to help you out if you need it.

You may like to check out my other blogs from my Deep South road trip including Ultimate Guide to Southern American Food in the Deep South USA and Iconic Women of the Deep South USA

Finding the right car for your American South Road Trip

That being said, having the right kind of vehicle with you really does make a difference. The American South is an enormous area, and if you’re planning on covering more than just one or two states you’ll either need a car that can handle a range of climates comfortably while also going for thousands of miles without issue, or you’ll need to swap cars regularly according to the kind of terrain you’ll be covering.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to grab rental cars on the go in the American South. If you fly into a big city like Atlanta you can pre-order a car to pick up as soon as you land - renting a car at Atlanta airport is quick and easy! And with a bit of research and pre-planning, you can organise a new, more suitable vehicle in every city if you want.

Just be sure to research the terrain, climate, and any particular driving issues that you might encounter before booking. For example, even in ‘hot’ states mountainous areas can be cold, and may even require snow tyres.

So, what kind of car should you be looking for? Well, that depends a lot on what you’re comfortable with driving, and your particular needs, but here are some general recommendations:

Automatic vs manual

As a general rule, driving in the USA is easier for people from the UK than vice versa. American roads are wide and straight, and the majority of American cars are automatic. If you’re not comfortable driving an automatic, you’ll probably need to specify that you want a manual (or ‘stick’, as Americans call it) when you book.

Air conditioning

It’s unlikely that you’ll be offered a car that doesn’t have air con, but it’s still worth making sure that the air con you get is good. The American South can get very hot, and parts of it (looking at you Louisiana, East Texas, Florida) are extremely humid. The last thing you want is to be in a hot, sticky car without decent air con for hours on end.

Fuel capacity

Remember that you will often have to drive vast distances between fuel stops, so you need a vehicle with the capacity to travel for many, many miles without refuelling.

Size of your vehicle

I’m not saying that small cars can’t handle the American South, but I am saying that you might feel a bit intimidated if you do pick a smaller model (and note that ‘small’ in the American South is pretty average-sized by British standards).

At some points you’re likely to be surrounded by cars so big that people use ladders to get in them. While you don’t necessarily need one of the massive ladder-cabin models - a bigger vehicle can give you more confidence at times.

Tyre type

You need tyres that can withstand a range of terrain types, including burning-hot tarmac, rocky mountain roads, sandy Gulf coast tracks, snowy mountain roads, and so on. So, carry spare tyres with you for changing terrains, or pick tyres that can handle a range of conditions.

Don’t overplan your road trip

A lot of people get comfort and confidence from planning, but over-planning can actually be bad for your confidence on a trip like this. Remember, the freedom is a big part of the fun of a road trip.

If you map out every hour of each day, you’re likely to stress yourself out trying to meet every item on your itinerary. What’s more, you’ll miss out on the kind of impromptu experiences that really make a road trip such as chats with friendly locals, or exploring interesting-looking eateries, or finding an empty beach and pulling over to cool your feet in the sea.

That’s not to say that you should just hop in the car and wing it. It’s good to have a loose structure. For example, you should definitely map out a route, and pick a few must-see attractions. Similarly, if you’re planning on staying in hotels or campgrounds, work out the distances between viable stopping points and make some bookings. But at the same time, leave yourself plenty of flexible extra time to play with.

Some Deep South route suggestions for first-timers:

For a bit of extra confidence, here are some tried and tested routes that are great for first-timers:

The Natchez Trace Parkway

The historic Natchez Trace Parkway is often described as one of America's most scenic drives, it was also my favourite section to drive of my 10 day road trip through Mississippi. It’s managed by the National Park Service, and stretches roughly 444 miles between Natchez and Nashville. It’s calm, as there’s no commercial traffic allowed, and it’s designed for leisurely exploration rather than commuting from place to place.

Savannah to Charleston

If you love coastal scenery, historic architecture and fantastic food, this is the route for you. It’s not a long drive, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the cities, towns, and landscapes along the route. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the huge distances involved in the American South, this is a good place to start.

Nashville to Memphis

This one’s for music lovers. Nashville is famous, of course, for country music, and Memphis is one of the home of the Blues. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of charming small towns, interesting scenery, and stopping spots full of great Southern cuisine.

Safety tips for solo travellers driving the Deep South

The American South is generally pretty safe for solo travellers, but you should still take some basic safety precautions. For women who are travelling alone – I took my road trip with a female friend and we felt very safe at all times. However, I always advise any solo female travellers to make their safety the utmost priority no matter where they are, here's some tips:

• Keep your fuel tank topped up in rural areas.
• Download offline maps before setting out each morning.
• Share your rough itinerary with someone at home (you can even share your live location through Whatsapp)
• Carry a portable phone charger (not all cars are compatible with your phone cable)
• Book accommodation ahead if you're visiting smaller towns during busy periods.
• Don’t drive if you’re tired.
• Pack sunglasses to combat UV glare on the road.
• Take a rest day if you need one.
• Trust your gut - if you don’t feel comfortable and confident somewhere, drive on.

You may also like to read my guides How to Safely Solo Travel as a Woman and Vanlife Safety Tips For Solo Female Travellers

Ultimately, nothing is quite as confidence-building as getting behind the wheel and actually doing the damn thing. Even the most seasoned travellers get nerves before a new trip. The trick to beating the nerves is, honestly, to just take the plunge and get on with it.

Trust me, when you’ve driven for a couple of hours, or successfully ordered food, chatted to some locals, and had a good night’s sleep in the American South, you’ll find your worries fading away and your confidence growing.

The American South really is one of the best places in the world to take a road trip. You can cover a huge amount of cultural experiences in a relatively short amount of time, and travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America.

Plus, you may well find yourself pleasantly surprised by just how friendly and accommodating the people are. One of the best recommendations I can give you to build your confidence on a road trip through the American South is to keep an open mind.

By being curious, and not going in with too many negative preconceptions, you’re likely to have a lot of unexpectedly positive experiences. And, the more of these positive experiences you’ll have, the greater your confidence will grow.