Flat illustrated American landscape with a woody wagon, the Roadtrip.com look Triptych created

Roadtrip.com

The American Roadtrip

Project
Roadtrip.com Strategy and Design
Client
Roadtrip.com
Role
Strategy, 3D, UX / UI Design, and Front / Back-End Development
Results
Robust design system ready for integration into trip itinerary planning system.

the Assignment

Build the Ultimate Road Trip Planner

With a retro vibe...

We were tasked with designing the entire user interface and experience for Roadtrip.com, capturing the spirit of a classic American road trip with a retro-inspired aesthetic. From itinerary building and budgeting to scrapbook-style photo collecting and point-of-interest mapping, we crafted a platform that made both day trips and long-haul adventures easy to plan and enjoy. Balancing creativity with usability, we designed an engaging, intuitive experience that felt as fun and free-spirited as the journey itself.

Vintage green Sinclair Dino gas pump rendered in 3D by Triptych for Roadtrip.com
Roadtrip.com trip planner with budget and itinerary on a laptop, designed by Triptych
Three Roadtrip.com app screens for itinerary, radius, and budget, designed by Triptych
Pencil sketches of retro roadside storefronts drawn by Triptych for Roadtrip.com
Flat illustration of a woody wagon passing a campground sign, drawn by Triptych for Roadtrip.comWoody wagon by a snowy mountain cabin and ski lift, a Roadtrip.com illustration by TriptychWoody wagon at a beach lifeguard tower with palm trees, illustrated by Triptych for Roadtrip.comWoody wagon past a red barn, windmill, and silo, a Roadtrip.com scene drawn by Triptych
Retro flat illustrations of a woody wagon on the open road.

the challenge

Dad Isn't Stressed This Time!?!

The challenge was to design an interface that captured the nostalgia of a classic cross-country road trip, whether in a wood-paneled station wagon or a shiny Airstream, while integrating modern tools for planning, documenting, and sharing the journey. The experience needed to feel adventurous and nostalgic yet seamlessly functional, allowing users to map routes, catalog memories, and connect with a community of fellow travelers. The goal was to blend vintage charm with intuitive technology, making trip planning as exciting as the open road itself.

Roadtrip.com things to do listing for a Knoxville day trip, designed by Triptych
“Triptych’s work has been outstanding, they perfectly capture the spirit of the classic American road trip.”
Ben Solberg, Founder of Roadtrip.com
Angled array of Roadtrip.com mobile screens in retro brown and teal, designed by Triptych

The layout is clean and intuitive, with clear navigation for itinerary building, trip budgeting, and point-of-interest selection. Interactive components like photo sharing, passenger selection, and route customization enhance engagement. This unified style strikes a perfect balance between playful nostalgia and user-friendly practicality, making trip planning seamless and enjoyable.

Roadtrip.com UI style guide with colors, buttons, and components, created by Triptych
Roadtrip.com mobile sign up screen with a wooden sign motif, designed by TriptychRoadtrip.com attraction admission prices and photos on mobile, from Triptych's app designCreate a trip form on the Roadtrip.com mobile app, designed by TriptychRoadtrip.com miles off radius picker on mobile, from Triptych's trip planner design
The create a trip flow shown across Roadtrip.com mobile screens.
Advertise on Roadtrip.com landing page with a retro skyline illustration, designed by Triptych