Overland Trip Planning: How to Plan a Grand Overlanding Adventure and Getting Started with GAIA GPS

We're breaking down planning for overlanding trips and showing you how to use GAIA GPS (both on the web and the mobile app) in this video you shouldn't miss. Learn from my mistakes so that you don't have to make them on your own.
I know, I know, this is a really long video but I believe it provides good value to those who are new to this overlanding thing and who are a little intimidated with planning a grand adventure. There’s no magic silver bullet for planning overland adventures so the more we can learn from one another the better our adventures will be.
How to find dispersed camping sites: • HOW TO find dispersed ...
Newer how-to use GAIA for overlanding video series: • How-to GAIA GPS Video ...
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Below are affiliate links. I make a small amount of money if you make a purchase with those and I appreciate your support. I do not get paid for phony opinions, my opinions are my own.
Some of the gear I use (as an "Amazon Influencer," I earn from qualifying purchases):
www.amazon.com/shop/ggg4runner
GAIA GPS
www.gaiagps.com/
onX Offroad offline mapping and navigation
www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
US National Parks
www.nps.gov/index.htm
US National Forests
www.fs.usda.gov/Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
www.blm.gov/
Bureau of Land Management
www.blm.gov/
Dispersed Camping Info Resources
freecampsites.net/
www.boondockersbible.com/
www.campendium.com/
Backcountry Discovery Routes
ridebdr.com/
Overland Journal - Overland Routes
overlandjournal.com/overland-...
US Department Of Transportation - Federal Highway AdministrationNational
Traffic and Road Closure Information
www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/
Wildlife precaution information
www.snakebitefoundation.org/b...
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...
www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/...
Emergency Satellite Communications Texting Device
Garmin In-Reach Mini amzn.to/3juIczu
Chapter Markers:
00:00 Intro
02:26 Tip #1 Overland planning for beginners
02:59 Start of adventure planning
03:12 Tip #2 Long drives
03:48 Tip #3 Knowing where to refuel
05:11 Tip #4 Offline mapping apps
06:32 GAIA GPS Map Layers
07:29 GAIA GPS Create Waypoints (web version)
10:11 GAIA GPS Create Waypoints (mobile app)
10:43 Discovering camping locations
12:20 Tip #5 Camping info resources
13:56 Tip #6 Waypoints for resupply locations
15:06 Dispersed camping general rules of thumb
15:50 Tip #7 Waypoints for things to do
16:24 Tip #8 Backcountry routes
17:45 onX Offroad app
18:20 GAIA GPS mobile app crash course
20:52 GAIA GPS How to import Route Files
22:36 GAIA GPS Create Routes (web version)
26:24 GAIA GPS Create Routes (mobile app)
28:39 GAIA GPS Guide Me with Routes
29:29 Continue adventure planning
31:39 Tip #9 GAIA GPS downloading map data
35:10 Tip #10 Weather and wildfire info
37:22 Tip #11 Road closure info
38:08 Tip #12 Wildlife info
39:57 Tip #13 Reducing weight
40:36 Tip #14 Off-grid advice
41:04 Tip #15 Getting help
41:33 Let’s review all the tips
43:34 Last bit of info
#overland #overlanding #carcamping

[@ggg4runner]

Have you properly planned and prepped for your overlanding adventure? Better to make sure now than when you're off-grid in the middle of nowhere. Links for stuff in the video are in the description above. Thanks for watching! See more here kzbin.info/aero/PLmzj4XGk6kUgT54Wolz0uKM7PE8rZe-6j

[@bobbyd8503]

Last year I took a long road trip from Boston to Nashville. AAA's website was a great resource for planning the drive, from gas, to hotels, restaurants, to camp sites, and breaking down the trip into either miles, or hours to help plan the drive. Once I had my trip planned on my laptop, it was just a click to send and save to my phone.

[@ggg4runner]

Great tip! Thanks for watching!

[@jlr5003]

Just stumbled across this video. The best tutorial on how to use Gaia GPS for offroading/overlanding that I've ever seen. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeremywilliams9039]

I am gonna have to watch this a few more times, total newb here trying to understand Gaia, but thank you for showing the mobile app. My Android is all I have, so all the videos showing how to use it on a PC aren't much help. I still do not understand how to get some things on the app, but I am now closer.

[@ggg4runner]

Glad it helped a little. GAIA does take some fiddling with to learn that's for sure. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@wouterachterkamp6183]

What a great and enjoyable video! 😊

[@ggg4runner]

Appreciate your support!

[@SkylinersYeti]

One tip I would like to suggest is think about others. My home is on the Oregon BDR. It is a gravel road and when people drive past at 40 mph, Oh the dust. It gets old quickly. Slow down and look in your mirrors and check your dust trail when passing homes or others camping along the route.

[@backyardvoyages]

Hey Roger, great video and very informative for the newcomers to the overland community like myself who are literally getting started. I’m not a stranger to road trips and dry camping and adventure, but this level of preparation is something I’ve always wanted to get into and be familiar with for new trips. Thanks and I look forward to your next video!

[@ggg4runner]

Glad to hear it was useful! Thank you for joining the journey and happy trails!

[@stevenpoppi]

This was awesome! I learned a lot and paused/backed-up/re-watched stuff so I could follow along on my Gaia app. Nice work and thank you!

[@ggg4runner]

I am so glad it was useful. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@KDNels]

Very comprehensive, excellent video for beginners and a recap for those more experienced!

[@ggg4runner]

Many thanks!

[@darrellmendiola3495]

Just came across your channel. I'm about 6 months in and still learning. Love your humor bro!

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jyo8914]

Thanks for making such a good in-depth & step by step video for Gaia. I've had a love/hate relationship with it. I've always found it a bit clunky to use. But, after watching your video, it's helped me to see the true potential and how to navigate thru it. THANK YOU!

[@ggg4runner]

You're so welcome! I wasn't a big fan at first either as it's not the most intuitive thing to use. But, having spent time playing with it and understanding what it can do, I'm not sure there really is a way to make it easier to use. Making it easier would probably make it less powerful. Thanks for commenting!

[@toddshook1765]

I have always loved camping and learning more about Overlanding. Great info to get started and to think things through.

[@ggg4runner]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@leelindemann7729]

Love your videos! You make me laugh out loud and that’s a pretty hard task to do. Keep up the great work. It’s appreciated.

[@ggg4runner]

Glad you like them and thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@richards144]

great video. I'll need to watch again for the GAIA. Regarding finding water - some tips that I discovered on my recent trip (been on the road over 50 days, taking a week to visit family and leave tomorrow to start the next ~45 days). I've found water at every national park visitor center, visitor centers at all the towns I stopped at, gas stations have let me go into the back to use their sinks to fill up if I ask nice, after a quick meal at McD's they haven't had any issues with me filling up from their water dispenser. I normally use my 2 1L Nalgene bottles and keep going back and forth till my 3 gal container is all full, except when I'm able directly fill up my 3 gal container at gas stations.

[@ggg4runner]

Those are all great places to fill water when you're in town. Thanks for watching and commenting! Safe travels and happy trails!

[@stydeman]

This is the most comprehensive, and very funny, educational video on the subject. THANK YOU for all your hard work in creating such a great video. P.S., I would add bar waypoints too. LOL

[@ggg4runner]

🤣 I have beef jerky waypoints. DIY a slide-out cocktail service drawer system! You can be like an overland cocktail food truck for a side hustle. Thank you for watching and commenting! Happy trails!

[@toddl3974]

OMG... your starting point is the same as me! (San Jose)

[@jpentzien]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to show us beginners some best practices.

[@ggg4runner]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching!

[@chrisallen9303]

Great planning video, thank you!

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks for watching!

[@H.pylori]

Very well done video. Unfortunately I learned a lot of these tips the hard way. This is a great review for all to have. Thank you. Thumbs up.

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks again! Happy trails!

[@wandering_armadillo]

Roger, I really enjoy your videos and quirky ways! Gaia has been recommended to me over and again and I’m ready to jump onboard, offline lol

[@ggg4runner]

Awesome, thank you for watching and commenting! There's a learning curve to GAIA but I still believe it to be the most versatile and robust offline mapping app currently.

[@kristopherm5269]

Thanks!

[@ggg4runner]

I tip my 🧢 to you. Thank you for watching!

[@markruppert9017]

Great video Roger! Very informative and simply explained. Being from CT, we don't have any trails to even need such a great tool. But hoping to get out west and see this great country of ours! Stay well! Happy trails

[@ggg4runner]

Glad it was helpful! The west welcomes you anytime. Take care and thanks for watching!

[@maryf7230]

Thanks for the great video and good information. I will be back for past and future advice and plan my next adventures.

[@ggg4runner]

Glad it was helpful! I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning and think you drive a DeLorean time machine right now "I will be back for past and future advice." Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@artistmikey52]

Dude!!! Awesome video! Lots of really good straight forward info.

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidboyd7344]

Many thanks for the tips on how to use GAIA, I think the 80s band your refer is the Proclaimers I challenge you to sing the song with Scot's accent!

[@ggg4runner]

Glad you found it useful! Yup, the Proclaimers indeed. And, no I can't because the copyright po-po will come knocking. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@BoltonLass]

Good informative video.

[@ggg4runner]

Thank you!

[@danielbarrett3434]

This is what I needed. Thank you

[@ggg4runner]

Thanks for watching another one!

[@danielbarrett3434]

@@ggg4runner I figured since you took the time to share it, I thought I would watch it. Plus it just so happened to have all the info I was looking for. Next I need a video talking about essential gear to get to start overlanding comfortably. Thanks Roger.

[@2vot]

Thank you for the video so far it is the best and simple to how to plan the trip. Hope one day we can go together i also owned the 3rd gen Runner

[@ggg4runner]

Glad you enjoyed it! Who knows, it's a small world. Happy trails!

[@TomorrowIsNow]

HaiYaaa Uncle Roger! Thanks for this video.

[@ggg4runner]

Well thank you for watching and commenting!

[@stevej1691]

Hi Roger, great work! Really helpful! Sometimes it is hard for me to find out the burn ban info so it would be nice if you can do a video about it sometime in the future. Thanks!

[@ggg4runner]

Ahh, dreaded fire restrictions. That's a tricky topic to cover since there's no good single resource to use and I wish there were. You pretty much have to check the website(s) for whatever area you're going to be at... Forest Service websites for each National Forest, BLM has it by state at least www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info, State parks websites, fire agency websites, county websites, etc. Being in California, I've gotten used to just using a propane fire pit (obviously when there's a sufficient clear area to use it) but I do like me a good ol' wood fire when I can.

[@steinerkevin3929]

Love the in depth view! My fear is my sense of direction is horrible. I suck at navigating. Other than that, prepping is the biggest component.

[@ggg4runner]

Let GAIA or whatever app have the sense of direction for you! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@steinerkevin3929]

@@ggg4runner no triple G. Thank you for the tips and hard work into the video!!!

[@leelindemann7729]

For gas stations: the app Gas Guru shows them according to distance and (kinda) gives prices (a couple days old). Geico widget used to have a terrific app for gas but they dropped it for some weird reason. Gas Guru is the 2nd best. Faster than using Google maps.

[@ggg4runner]

I'll take a look at that at, thank you! Maybe it'll help find additional gas stations when I'm marking them down in GAIA for offline use. Thank you for watching!

[@mclucky7086]

What an inspiring attitude to life and all its opportunities. Roger, I love your channel, I am a recent subscriber of which many more thousands surely follow. I am presently researching a vehicle for camping/travelling and seem to be zoning in on a 5th gen. 4Runner. Did you consider alternatives? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@ggg4runner]

Hi, thank you for watching and commenting! I'm a Toyota guy so anything out of my mouth is very biased with vehicle recommendations. It really depends on if it's going to be a vehicle that you need to daily or something mostly for adventuring. My ideal overland adventuring rig would honestly either be a Tundra or Tacoma with a camper (like a Kimbo or 4-wheel campers) because I've realized that it's really nice having a true interior space that you can stand up in (awning walls or an annex just isn't the same). And, as I get older, that's probably the direction I'll take. It really just depends on how far you want to take your build, so let that factor determine the best Toyota, I mean vehicle 😆, for your needs. You can't really go wrong with either 4Runner, Tundra, Tacoma, Land Cruiser, etc. A lot of people have been building Lexus GXs where you get a V8 and some creature comfort luxuries.

[@DR-fy7qy]

A great summary of important tips to plan properly for a road trip. I currently do not subscribe to GAIA but this video has certainly convinced me to do so. Great to know GAIA can be used for a road trip as well. For this tutorial did you use the map tools that come with GAIA GPS Premium or GAIA GPS Premium Outside+ subscription? 👍

[@ggg4runner]

Premium w/o the +

[@DR-fy7qy]

@@ggg4runner Thanks.

[@AWDTransitOverland]

Nice road trip planning, but it seems the accepted / evolving definition of overlanding is a journey exploring remote places. This means mostly dirt roads and sometimes off-roading (4x4 trails).

[@ggg4runner]

Agreed, but you gotta take regular ol' roads and highways to get to those remote places, at least I do

[@JimPreston]

@@ggg4runner Sure, we all do, but the main objective is dirt roads in remote areas, otherwise it is a road trip, which everyone understands. Overlanding is an Australian term for traveling in the Outback. Overlanders carry traction boards and a shovel to get out of sand and mud when stuck. None needed on road trips. In a couple of weeks will be the Overland Expo in Flagstaff. it is a big event and almost everyone has a 4x4 or AWD rig, even Subarus, which are quite good at most off-roading. We have an AWD Ford Transit van built-out for off-roading and overlanding. All the overlanding videos on KZbin mostly ignore the pavement part of the journey and focus on the dirt roads and trails.

[@JimPreston]

@@ggg4runner I'm a native of San Jose 🙂

[@fpartidafpartida]

I just took delivery of a Rivian R1S electric SUV in October and plan to take it out West for some mountain biking trips. It’s kind of funny to see how similar my charging planning is for the trip, I was not expecting to see so much time dedicated to the gas counterpart….but at 13MPG, I guess the range is probably similar to mine (~300 miles)?

[@ggg4runner]

These only have a 18 gallon tank so I don't even get 300 miles. But, that's where my planning comes into play along with carrying extra fuel. Thank you for watching and enjoy your biking adventures!

[@wandering_armadillo]

Surprised to see mention of an electric in the comments on an overlanding video - I returned to gas after three years plugging in because found an EV suited my lifestyle (poorer range in winter, congestion at charging stations, time spent waiting to charge, the odd faulty station etc). To me freedom is found deep in a trail, carrying my own gas. But in the city you can give me a smug wave when you roll past me at the gas station 😂 ⛽️

[@iany1958]

do you know if in other counties or continents Gaia is also recommended in respect of layers availability ? (Israel ofr example)

[@ggg4runner]

I played around for a minute zooming into remote areas of Israel and I see dirt tracks, campsites, nature reserve boundaries, mountains, waterfalls, springs. There is also the obvious info like topo lines, roads, gas stations, grocery stores, points of interest, etc. All of this was just with the "Gaia Overland" layer so it seems pretty complete to me. "Wildfires (satellite detections)" also seems to work for the entire world as I easily see the hot spots when zooming out. Those are the only two layers I really use nowadays.

[@FlewTheCoop]

Wow! So if you get bit by a viper do not do anything, except immediately start getting yourself safely to a proper medical provider! Mark the wound, take off anything that may become binding and go!