I like to (very) roughly plan my route and break it down into 200 mile segments, looking for interesting things to do or see in each segment. Then I plan my driving. I am alone with 2 elderly dogs. I like to leave late and stop early and stay for at least 2 nights. And yet, even that is written in jello, because if the stop doesn't warrant it, I won't stay a second night, and sometimes I'll stop late in a rest area for a night.
My trips usually turn out to be a couple of 2-nighters, then a week or more, with a couple more 2-nighters until the next destination. It's a very easy & comfortable way to travel, but slow.
I've just returned to Florida from a 6 month trip to California - most of it done just that way.
