Happy to share my experience and offer some advice, I’m sure I’ll answer some e of your questions but maybe not all.

Live in CO and have done solo trips to PNW, UT, AZ, CA, Qubec CA, MT, etc.

Destination: Do your research! How many days do you realistically intend to be there, or in the area? For each day, plan todo one major activity, a trail, a hike, whatever, and plan where you’re going to camp that night. This leaves a lot of wiggle room, so you have freedom to explore, while still maintaining a bit of structure to your day, and keeping you on task for your trip.

Camping: do your research! Find and talk to the Reddit community for that area, where do they camp? Get specific recommendations, make reservations if necessary, know what to expect before you get there, is there water, restrooms, showers, rv hookups (pro & con), what are the rules around fire, who owns the land, who primarily camps there, what’s it known for? Also, have a backup. Know where the nearest KOA is located, have money budgeted for it. Know how to get to the campsite, save the location on your nav, and write it down.

Activities: Again, research! What is it, where is it, from your previous night how do you get there? Is there a reservation, have you paid for it already? What gear do you need for it? What are the conditions like, generally what kind of weather should you expect? What do the locals say, are there must-sees on that activity, is it guided or self-paced, what’s the number of the nearest ranger station you’d contact if there’s an emergency? Is there cell service, are radios used, what frequencies, etc. have backup plans.

Traveling: While driving to your destination I follow a similar mentality. How far am I driving today? How much will that cost in gas, do I have the money for said gas, how often should I expect to stop, any long stretches between gas stations, bring extra fuel (rotopax whatever)? Where am I stopping for the night? Is it a campsite, KOA, or hotel? How do I get there from the highway, any sights to see along the way (atlas obsecura), any restaurants I must checkout? How’s the weather, crime, etc. If I’m camping (see camping above). Have a backup plan, and budget for the backup plan.

Food: Personally, due to dietary reasons, I bring most of my own food. Perishables go in the fridge, non in their own dedicated pantry box. I’ll usually meal-prep one main thing, then prep the ingredients to construct lots of things from it. Stuff to make sandwiches, snacks, shelf stable rice, soups, bread, etc. then I just need to resupply at any grocery store. I usually don’t plan every meal, but I always have multiple options for every meal; so I’m never left hungry after an activity, without an immediate option. Bring stuff to drink in addition to water, bring treats, desserts, etc.

Basically I plan out as much of the trip as possible, keep a digital & analog itinerary, cross things off as I go, and am generally prepared for most situations, but leave lots of wiggle room, and always have a backup, and know what to do in an emergency.

Lastly, have your vehicle serviced, tires rotated, fluids checked, etc, a few days before you go! Pack all your bags, and your vehicle the day before you leave. Go to bed early, eat well, and get a good nights sleep. Wake up, and start driving!

Enjoy your trip, and we expect pictures when you get back.

Last bit: I always keep a running list on my phone for every trip, called “things forgotten”, which is just that, a list of that one thing I forgot to bring on this trip, that I wish I had- which makes it onto a packing list for my next adventure.