If you do them right, road trips can be a fun way to explore the country while going from point A to point B. If you do them wrong, they can be incredibly boring and frustrating. Make the most of your road trip this summer with some tips we’ve amassed over the years (and across the miles).
1. Plan out extra time: Road trips work best when you plan yourself plenty of extra time for pit stops and excursions along the way. You’ll likely be traveling through areas you may otherwise have no reason to pass through, which can make for some pretty cool excursions along the way.
2. Do your research: Do some scouting in advance, making a rough itinerary for your travels. It’s good to know which cities you plan on sleeping in, whether you’re making hotel reservations or camping. See which cities you’ll pass through along the way, and see what piques your interest. Are there cute, locally owned diners along your route? What about funky tourist attractions or ghost towns that are right off the roadside? There are also lots of road trip-centric apps you can download to help you while you’re on the road.
2. Do your research: Do some scouting in advance, making a rough itinerary for your travels. It’s good to know which cities you plan on sleeping in, whether you’re making hotel reservations or camping. See which cities you’ll pass through along the way, and see what piques your interest. Are there cute, locally owned diners along your route? What about funky tourist attractions or ghost towns that are right off the roadside? There are also lots of road trip-centric apps you can download to help you while you’re on the road.
3. Enjoy nature: After all that driving, it’s always nice to be able to get out and stretch your legs for a bit and take in the scenery. A nice walk or some time spent outside in the sunshine can do wonders for your mood (and your body).
4. Pump up the jams: We’re big fans of mixed CDs for long road trips, carefully curated for the scenery you’ll be traveling. Play some Emmylou Harris as you make your way through the South, or have some Beach Boys albums ready for your trip up the Pacific Coast Highway.
5. Perfect podcasts: Smartphones make listening to podcasts in your car an easy prospect, and the miles fly by when you’re engrossed in a great story or interview. Some of our favorites include “This American Life,” “The TED Radio Hour,” Grantland’s “The Lowe Post,” “The Canon” and “Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History.”
6. Play games: When we were growing up, the license plate game was one of our favorite ways to pass time out on the road. (That, and annoying our folks with “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.”) Print out a map of the country to take along, so you can mark them off as you go.
7. Pack wisely: Aside from your clothes and toiletries, it’s important to bring along a phone charger, cash, snacks, a cooler and a map (they can be fun to have along, even if we rely on our phones a lot these days). (And don’t pack too heavily: You want to have room for the souvenirs and knick-knacks you pick up along the way.)
8. Prep your car: Make sure your car is in good shape before you set off on your trip. Getting stranded on the side of the road is the worst. (On that note, always start off with a full tank of gas.) If you car's not in the best shape, it may be a good idea to look into a rental for your travels.
Resource: http://www.timesreporter.com/article/ZZ/20150603/NEWS/150609953
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