Road Tripping 101

TOMORROW Dan, Oliver, and I leave for Maine….in my car.   The 24 hour drive might seem daunting to many, but Dan and I are seasoned road trippers – we’ve got at least 8 cross-country trips under our belts.  24 hours won’t seem like a big deal – in fact, we’re even considering driving straight through (I’m just a little anxious to get to Maine, you know?)!

1. The Car

The most important part of your road trip? The car! Whether you’re riding in style in some sleek convertible or slumming it in your parents’ hand-me-down clunker, you’ve gotta take care of your car.  First up, check the oil.  Second, check the air in the tires – make sure you look on the door for the recommended PSI.  Then, buy Rain-X and windshield wiper fluid.  I promise there’s nothing worse than running out of wiper fluid in the middle of nowhere.  Finally, fill your gas tank with the cheapest gas in town!

2.  Packing

The ideal road trip would involve zero luggage.  Unfortunately, that’s just not a reality.  So make the most of it and pack wisely.  Make sure that windshield wiper fluid I mentioned above is easily accessible.  I also recommend packing a smaller overnight bag filled with the essentials and throwing that in last.  There’s nothing worse than getting ready to crash for the night and having to unpack an entire car just to find your toothbrush.  Leave the important stuff on top! Also, if you happen to be transporting anything breakable, stick it in a big Tupperware container and surround it with clothing.  Things tend to shift during the ride and we want to ensure you’re valuables arrive safely to their destinations (if only UPS cared as much as I do).

3.  Essentials

When you’re packing, don’t forget a few car trip essentials: a phone charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter. You don’t want that thing running out of batteries! Don’t forget – no texting and driving!! A camera.  There’s nothing better than capturing funny moments and beautiful scenery along the way.  A GPS/map if you don’t have this feature on your phone.  While getting lost can be incredibly fun, it’s also nice to “get found.”  Bring your travel coffee mug.  Many places offer discounts when you bring your own cup and nothing beats being green.  Along those same lines, bring a water bottle.  While bathroom breaks aren’t always convenient, it’s always important to stay hydrated.

4. Have Fun!

Road trips are all about the journey, right?! So don’t take my example and drive for 24 hours straight.  The best road trips have time built in for the amazingly ridiculous attractions along the way.  Like the world’s largest prairie dog and Bob and Sue’s crazy cheese palace and an entire museum dedicated to a ball of twine.  Then there are always those must-see national treasures like Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore. Wherever you’re headed, there’s sure to be some amazing stops along the way.  Even if you don’t research them ahead of time, make sure to take time to enjoy every part of the way.