Some people absolutely dread road trips. Personally, they don’t really bother me at all. Sometimes driving can help you save money instead of flying all of the time if the destination is not too far. Here are some tips to make the most of your road trip and to survive long drives.
Start with a Clean Car. Always clean your car before going on trips. This makes it easier to pack up your car and have extra room for luggage. It also makes the car ride a lot more enjoyable with not stressing about the mess. I like to take some small trash bags or even Walmart bags to put your trash in during the trip. This avoids it laying around everywhere or having to clean it up when the trip is over!
Check your vehicle. This one is probably the most important. No one wants a road trip resulting in a flat tire or a broken down vehicle. I know some of these you simply can’t avoid; however, they are less avoidable if you check your car and make sure everything is up to par. Always remember to keep a spare tire on hand.
Prep before the trip. This one is essential. Make sure you know where all the stops are on the road such as food, rest areas, roadside attractions, gas stations, etc. Doing this will avoid going to a sketchy location on the side of the road (we’ve all been there) and planning your stops will allow you to read reviews. If you are time-crunched consider packing lunch and eating on the road.
Wear Comfortable clothing. When you are in a car for long hours, always dress in loungewear or comfortable clothes. Nothing is more uncomfortable than wearing jeans in a car! Also take a pillow or blanket to make the most of a long car ride.
Music. Find some music that the whole car will enjoy. Download music on your phone that everyone will sing to, plug in your aux or turn on the bluetooth, and have a car karaoke session with the family. Sometimes, I will even listen to an old CD.
Play Games. Find some car games to play to avoid boredom. When I was little, I used to love to play the license plate game and the alphabet game. I have some of the best memories growing up of playing games in the car with my family. This is a lot more fun than playing on your phone in the car, plus it gets the whole family involved! Here are some fun games below.
Take a break. Driving can be extremely tiring if you are doing it during the night or for a long period of time. Find a rest area to pull off and take a nap in or find a hotel and spend the night until the next day. Driving tired is very dangerous.
Take turns driving. If possible, try to take turns driving. This will help one person not be as tired of driving.
Pack for emergencies. Always pack for emergencies. Make sure to carry some cash in case something happens and they don’t take credit/debit cards. Also if the weather is bad and something happens to your car or your trip gets delayed, it is always good to pack a blanket or a warm pair of clothes. A first aid kit and map are also essential to have in your car.
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