Michelle Waite

Community Builder & Web Generalist
Passionate about games, open-source, and making tech more human. AI-curious and always creating.

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Planning a Trip with AI

How AI Helped Me Plan the Perfect Hockey Road Trip

Planning a road trip can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming—especially when trying to juggle schedules, ticket prices, hotel bookings, and budgeting. For my recent hockey road trip, I decided to take a different approach: I used AI to help me streamline the entire process. The result? A stress-free, well-organized, and budget-friendly getaway that let me focus on enjoying the experience rather than sweating the details.

The Challenge: Planning a Multi-City Trip on a Budget

I knew I wanted to take a weekend road trip to catch a couple of hockey games, but I wasn’t sure where to start. My main goals were:

  • Finding the best combination of games that fit within a reasonable driving distance.
  • Keeping costs as low as possible without sacrificing comfort.
  • Ensuring the trip was well-structured so I wouldn’t have to scramble last-minute.

Enter AI.

How AI Made Trip Planning Easy

1. Finding the Best Game Schedule

Instead of manually searching through multiple team websites and trying to piece together an itinerary, I asked AI to find all available pro and semi-pro hockey games happening within a six-hour drive of Myrtle Beach, SC, between March 28th and 30th. Within moments, I had a comprehensive list of options spanning the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and even women's leagues.

2. Budgeting & Cost Estimation

One of the most stressful parts of trip planning is managing expenses. I asked AI to break down estimated costs for:

  • Event/Entertainment budget (finding the cheapest available tickets and mid-range options).
  • Hotel stays in Raleigh and Charlotte.
  • Rental car costs (with pickup and drop-off at Myrtle Beach Airport).
  • Parking fees at each arena.
  • Gas expenses for the estimated miles driven.
  • Food costs, with budget-friendly and mid-range options.

3. Creating an Easy-to-Follow Itinerary

Once the plan was finalized, AI helped me structure the trip into a simple, step-by-step checklist.

Try It Yourself: AI-Powered Budget Estimator

Want to see how much your trip could cost? Input your trip details below and AI will estimate your expenses!

Try It Yourself: AI-Powered Budget Estimator

Want to see how much your trip could cost? Input your trip details below and AI will estimate your expenses!

Your Estimated Trip Cost:

The Outcome: A Stress-Free, Fun-Filled Weekend

Because AI handled the heavy lifting of researching and organizing, I was able to focus on what really mattered—enjoying the games! The entire trip felt well-paced and easygoing.

Would I Do It Again? Absolutely.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed planning a trip, I highly recommend giving AI a shot. It’s like having a personal travel planner in your pocket—ready to help you optimize your plans, find the best deals, and make sure you don’t miss a thing.