Traveling long distances in a short amount of time often requires that you buy a ticket and fly. If your schedule allows it though, you should consider road-tripping with a couple of friends. No matter where you’re going, the journey is half the fun, after all. Hopping in the car and taking a road trip is probably going to be better on your wallet, as well.
Long hours on the open road can get to you pretty quickly, as can being trapped in a tin can all day with your friends. A road trip doesn’t have to be a miserable time, though. Before you merge onto the freeway, take a look at this list and your road trip is sure to be a blast.
20. Carefully choose your copilots.
Make sure they’re people you like spending time with because you’ll be with them all day, without very much space between you. Also, you’re probably going to need them to take the wheel for you at some point, so make sure they’re trustworthy. You don’t want to put your car in the hands of someone who can barely drive.
19. Bring pillows and blankets.
You may not have lots of spare room in the car, but make the room for some small pillows and a blanket or two. Sleeping in the car is a crucial part of the road trip experience when you’re a passenger, and you’ll want to be comfortable.
18. Establish rules about playing music in the car.
Does the driver get to choose the music? Does the driver have to keep the volume low while others are sleeping or using their earbuds? It’s safer to lay down the law before you hit the road because these are the weird things that can cause tension later on.
17. Ensure that you’ll be able to play music in the car.
Get a casette tape that connects to your iPod, find yourself an AUX cable, or an FM transmitter, depending on the make of your car. You want to keep the tunes going as much as possible to fend off the boredom.
16. Make sure the vehicle is in tip top condition.
If your car has seen some miles, take precautions before you leave. Get an oil change and have your mechanic look under the hood to check your belts and all that nonsense. Car breakdowns in the middle of nowhere are not fun.
15. Budget, budget, budget!
You’ll save a lot of money not buying a plane ticket, but filling up the car with gas is going to cost you, too. The good news is, you can split the cost with your friends. In the meantime, make sure you budget for fuel while planning, and motel rooms too. Have a rough estimate of how much you’re going to spend on the trip.
14. Map out your directions and have backup directions.
Everyone uses their phone for directions, but it can’t hurt to at least buy a map to keep in the glove compartment, right? I mean, what are you going to do if you get lost in the middle of nowhere and your phone can’t get service? You might be glad you’ve got a map if that happens.
13. Plan where you’re going to stop for the night, if necessary.
The last thing you want is to be exhausted and desperate for a place to stay. If you plan ahead of time where you’re going to stop for the night, you can reserve rooms and possibly save money. At the very least, it’ll keep you from having to shack up in a sketchy motel.
12. Stock up on snacks.
There’s something about road trips that makes everyone insatiably hungry. If you’ve got room for a cooler, stock it with drinks and healthy (yeah right!) snacks. If you don’t have room for a cooler, make do with the space you’ve got. Just don’t go hungry on the road.
11. Don’t drive drowsy!
Seriously, don’t do it. You think you’ve got it under control, but when you drive drowsy, you’re putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger. If you’re tired, pull over and let one of your friends take the wheel.
