vLane Blog

Road Tripping 101

From maggiek, Featured Contributor
Posted on June 30, 2008

Filed under Advice

Don't let high gas prices make you cranky. Follow these 5 simple rules for a successful road trip.

Road tripping is a time-honored tradition in America. Sometimes, the vast landscape of our nation just beckons to be viewed from behind the wheel of car. Sometimes, a long drive is required to get where you need to go. Road trips seem like they should be all fun, but they aren't always. You can get lost, into fights, or your car can break down in the middle of nowhere, leaving you tired, hungry, and in need of a bathroom. To maximize your road trip experience, follow these 5 simple rules.

1. Pick your companions carefully.

Think about compatibility. It's like choosing a rooomate, or a life partner. Don't believe me? Taking a road trip with the wrong person can feel like a lifetime. Does your companion like to talk more, less, or the same amount as you? Do you like the same music? Personally, I've had better experiences with people who can be described with words like 'mellow', 'relaxed', and 'flexible' rather than with words like 'perfectionist' or 'bossy'. Once you set out, you will have to spend hours upon hours with this person (or people) with no breaks!

2. Have a destination.

Having a goal or an endpoint gives the trip a sense of purpose. Go to visit a far-away friend, a National park, or an exciting city. Don’t worry about zapping the trip’s spontaneity just because you have a plan. Road trips are, by nature, filled with the unexpected. There will be plenty of opportunities to be spontaneous!

3. Think about nighttime.

Hammer out a plan for where you will sleep each night. Some suggestions: plan out your route so that you can stay with people you know as much as you can along the route! Hostels are worth a look, as are campgrounds and motels. The best places to sleep include a shower in the morning. Sleeping in the car, whether on the side of the road or while an awake person is driving might work for a night, in a pinch; they get old and unsafe really fast.

4. Stock your car.

Along with your clothes and personal items, the “big three” items for road tripping are: music, food, and booze. For music, pack a variety of songs. Different times of day, and different settings will call for different tunes. Also try to bring music that is acceptable to all parties. For food, make sure you bring food that will not spoil. Either pack only non-perishable food, or get a cooler and plan on buying ice throughout the trip. Snack food, both sweet and salty, is a must. Also pack bottles of water. You never know when the AC will break and leave you sweating like mad. As for booze, it’s really about picking your pleasure. Just make sure never to drive drunk (see rule 5) and not to have open alcohol in the car.

5. Play it safe.

The world can be a dangerous place, road trippers should take precautions. Make sure the car is in good shape before heading out. Make sure you know and trust your companions. Don’t drive drunk or sleep deprived. Think carefully about picking up hitchhikers. Have a charged cell phone and emergency cash with you at all times.

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• Things You Shouldn't Do While Driving
• WTF Classifieds: Back to the Future for 50K
• Buying a New Car: It's Business, Not Personal

maggiek is a featured contributor for vLane.