Are you planning a road trip soon? I've taken so many road trips that I feel like everything is second-nature now, but I realize a lot of people are just dipping their toe into road tripping and probably don't have those same instincts. For you, I bring you some of my favorite tips.
A road trip can be long and boring if you don't plan it right. If you do, it can be a great way to see a lot of interesting stuff, listen to some cool music and podcasts, and give you a whole new way to travel. Whether you're taking a long or short trip doesn't really matter. You pretty much want to do all the same things, just maybe take less food/snacks.
Get your car checked out first
You don't want to get halfway to your destination and then have your car break down over something that could have been prevented. If you can, get AAA, get a tune-up, check your tires, and make sure you have a safety kit in your car for any breakdowns. I also keep a 2-liter bottle of water in my car, a blanket, a travel towel, a larger first aid kit, and a Halo Bolt. All of these things take up not that much space and can be invaluable if you need them.
Hydration
I travel with someone who drinks a lot of liquids, so I have a small cooler bag that I fill with preferred beverages that I keep cool with frozen water bottles and large ice packs I make out of Stasher bags filled with water. They don't leak and can be used for food, snacks, and other small things while on our trip. It's easier than buying ice and lasts much longer, too. Put your drinks on the floor of the backseat, where it is easy to reach for the passenger, so you don't have to keep stopping when you need a new drink.
Snacks & Food
If you're traveling a short distance, then a bag of snacks is great to have on-hand. I either keep it on the floor next to me (on the passenger side) or put it within easy reach near our drinks. If you're traveling a longer distance, then you're going to want to have a separate bag with more substantial foods. Even if I'm traveling alone, I have granola bars, chips, dip, and something sweet. I will then pack a cooler with fruit, cheese, lunch meats, potato salad, fried chicken, and cut up veggies, like carrots, to have a meal when I stop at a rest area or a park. It saves money and gives you a reason to stop and stretch your legs for more than 2 minutes.
Plan Stops
Listen, being in the car for long stretches is booooring, even if you're listening to a great book or playing games. I use Google Maps before I leave to see what's available along my route and pick some things that sound fun to stop and check out. You need to stretch your body and walk around, so make those stops more fun than just walking through the rest area to the bathroom and looking at brochures for places you don't need...though oftentimes they will have coupons for places you're near and you might save some money on somewhere you were planning to go anyway, so don't pass those up either.
Bring Entertainment
Load up your phone with podcasts, books, and music that you love or don't have time to listen to normally. This is your chance to catch up on those things. It also helps when you're in the middle of nowhere and there aren't any radio stations. If you're traveling with kids, bring them books, travel games, video games (this is the time), movies, and whatever else they always want to do, but you don't want them to stare at screens for 12 hours a day. Ask them where they want to stop along the way, too, so they have something to look forward to. These backseat car organizers are great for all their things.
Chargers
Don't get stuck 5 hours from where you're stopping for the day with dead phones and tablets. Remember all your chargers and make sure you have cords that are long enough to reach the backseat if you need them. Back-up batteries are also a great thing to have. This one allows you to charge several things at once and even has attached power cords.
Paper Map & Emergency Numbers
Yes, you have your phone with GPS, but sometimes things don't go as planned. Make sure you have contact numbers and addresses on paper and also a map, just in case. If you don't need them, that's fine, but if you do, you'll be so grateful you were prepared.
Pack Sparingly
Again, I know you have all the space to bring things with you when you road trip, but that doesn't mean you should cram everything you own in there. You should still pack light and only bring things you need. It is nice that you have a place for that extra pair of shoes and your coat, but you don't want to have to drag 5 suitcases into every hotel you stop at, because that's annoying and because you can't leave them in the car where people will see you are traveling and break in and steal all your stuff. Be mindful of what you need and what you don't. It really makes your trip more comfortable and less of a hassle.
What are some of your favorite tips for a great road trip?
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