While flying to your destination may be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B, I have developed a soft spot for road trips. I have traveled across the country twice by car and numerous trips up and down the West Coast and into the Southwest. I enjoy the freedom to stop and check out something that catches my eye along the way or to visit the small diner that otherwise you would have flown right over. As with all traveling, however, it is good to be prepared and do a little bit of research before hitting the road. I've compiled my top tips and tricks to help you on your next road trip adventure!
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1. Rent A Car
If you have a road trip planned where you will be putting on some serious miles, consider renting a car, so you avoid the wear and tear that can result from a long trip. When you are deciding what size car to rent, it is important to think about how much you are bringing, how many people will need to sit comfortably together for long periods of time and what weather you might encounter. If you are planning to trek through areas where whether could be a factor, it is definitely worth ensuring you have a car with 4-wheel drive or all wheel drive.
If you have a road trip planned where you will be putting on some serious miles, consider renting a car, so you avoid the wear and tear that can result from a long trip. When you are deciding what size car to rent, it is important to think about how much you are bringing, how many people will need to sit comfortably together for long periods of time and what weather you might encounter. If you are planning to trek through areas where whether could be a factor, it is definitely worth ensuring you have a car with 4-wheel drive or all wheel drive.
2. Car Accessories
There are a few key car accessories that are a must to survive the hours on the road. With the days of paper maps in our rear view mirror, we rely on our cell phones for directions. Personally, I use the Waze app which relies on real-time traffic data to help you avoid the dreaded traffic jams. BUT, your phone will not work without power. Most newer cars have USB ports, so you can use your normal charger, but you may need to charge multiple phones or devices at one time. I recommend snagging a car charger, like this one from Amazon, with duel ports to keep the peace. Many states these days require you to be hands-free while driving, so to avoid an expensive ticket but still be able to see my phone while driving, I prefer to mount my phone to the air vent. There are so many to choose from, but this style is the one that I picked up and find pretty easy to take from car to car. Don't forget to attach it BEFORE you hit the road! Last, but not least, make sure you have emergency roadside assistance (AAA to the rescue!) and a first aid kit. By driving from place to place, you will see some incredible sights, but you may also spend time in some very isolate stretches of highway, so it is important to have the basics in case of an emergency.
There are a few key car accessories that are a must to survive the hours on the road. With the days of paper maps in our rear view mirror, we rely on our cell phones for directions. Personally, I use the Waze app which relies on real-time traffic data to help you avoid the dreaded traffic jams. BUT, your phone will not work without power. Most newer cars have USB ports, so you can use your normal charger, but you may need to charge multiple phones or devices at one time. I recommend snagging a car charger, like this one from Amazon, with duel ports to keep the peace. Many states these days require you to be hands-free while driving, so to avoid an expensive ticket but still be able to see my phone while driving, I prefer to mount my phone to the air vent. There are so many to choose from, but this style is the one that I picked up and find pretty easy to take from car to car. Don't forget to attach it BEFORE you hit the road! Last, but not least, make sure you have emergency roadside assistance (AAA to the rescue!) and a first aid kit. By driving from place to place, you will see some incredible sights, but you may also spend time in some very isolate stretches of highway, so it is important to have the basics in case of an emergency.
3. Know Your Limits
If you don't spend a lot of time in a car, you may be saying to yourself, how hard can this be? I can easily drive 8-10 hours a day! WRONG! Driving is exhausting and, sometimes, very mind numbing. Also, you don't want to be so exhausted from the drive that you miss your destination(s). When deciding how far to make each leg of your journey, I suggest thinking about the following:
If you don't spend a lot of time in a car, you may be saying to yourself, how hard can this be? I can easily drive 8-10 hours a day! WRONG! Driving is exhausting and, sometimes, very mind numbing. Also, you don't want to be so exhausted from the drive that you miss your destination(s). When deciding how far to make each leg of your journey, I suggest thinking about the following:
- Weather: Inclement weather will definitely slow you down and add to fatigue because you have to be on high alert. Check out the average temperatures expected at your destination(s) and start checking the 10-Day Forecast as you get closer to your departure date.
- Multiple Drivers: If possible, have more than one driver available for the longer hauls. It's great to have a travel buddy - it's even better if they can help drive!
- Driving Experience: We travel so that we can try new things, but consider how comfortable you are driving in different situations - weather, metro areas, traffic, highways, the other side of the road, etc. The less comfortable you are in those areas, the faster you will start to feel fatigued.
4. Map Your Route - Allow for Detours
As the driver, you are the captain of your destiny! My Type A personality loves the planning process. In addition to mapping from point A to point B, I like to check out what sights there might be along the way. For example, Route 66 is the epitome of kitschy roadside attractions and provides plenty of fun opportunities to hop out and stretch your legs. It is always worth building in a little extra time in case you want to pull off the road for something that peaks your interest along the way!
As the driver, you are the captain of your destiny! My Type A personality loves the planning process. In addition to mapping from point A to point B, I like to check out what sights there might be along the way. For example, Route 66 is the epitome of kitschy roadside attractions and provides plenty of fun opportunities to hop out and stretch your legs. It is always worth building in a little extra time in case you want to pull off the road for something that peaks your interest along the way!
5. Do Your Research
Yes, I may take planning to an extreme, but when you are taking on the task of building your own road trip adventure, a little research can go a long way to relieving the stress that may come from driving. As mentioned above, weather is important, but also find out if there are any unique rules of the road. This is super important if you are hitting the road in a different country
Yes, I may take planning to an extreme, but when you are taking on the task of building your own road trip adventure, a little research can go a long way to relieving the stress that may come from driving. As mentioned above, weather is important, but also find out if there are any unique rules of the road. This is super important if you are hitting the road in a different country
6. Stock up on Drinks & Snacks
Second only to planning, stocking up on drinks and snacks is one of my favorite things! As with flying, it is super important to stay hydrated, so do not forget your eco-friendly water bottle (I love my S'well bottle) and some jugs to keep them filled. A cooler like this Yeti does an amazing job at keeping everything cold. Fruit, trail mix and sour gummy worms are staples when I'm on the road.
Second only to planning, stocking up on drinks and snacks is one of my favorite things! As with flying, it is super important to stay hydrated, so do not forget your eco-friendly water bottle (I love my S'well bottle) and some jugs to keep them filled. A cooler like this Yeti does an amazing job at keeping everything cold. Fruit, trail mix and sour gummy worms are staples when I'm on the road.
7. Pack Efficiently
One of the perks to traveling by car is the lack of baggage fees, BUT keep in mind that you will be packing and unpacking at each stop. My husband and I have traveled with his bike (and gear!), so I can tell you from first hand experience that at the end of a long day of driving, multiple trips between the room and your car is the last thing you'll want to do. Resist the temptation to fill every available corner of the car, you'll thank me later!
One of the perks to traveling by car is the lack of baggage fees, BUT keep in mind that you will be packing and unpacking at each stop. My husband and I have traveled with his bike (and gear!), so I can tell you from first hand experience that at the end of a long day of driving, multiple trips between the room and your car is the last thing you'll want to do. Resist the temptation to fill every available corner of the car, you'll thank me later!
Now that you're ready to hit the road, have fun and enjoy the ride!
Header Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev from Pexels
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