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Road Trip
"To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change." - Charles Horton Cooley.
What comes to mind when I say "Road Trip"? Some of you may think of the road trips you had when you were a child: bouncing in the back of your parents station wagon, eating lots of ham sandwiches, and making several pit stops on the side of the road. Some may think of a romantic time spent with someone special: driving in a secluded yet romantic area, all alone. I personally think of times with my sister. We'd pack up all of our things into my '97 Ford Thunderbird, roll the windows down, crank up the music, and set sail on the open road!
Road trips are a great way to break out of the monotony of everyday life. It gives you a chance to breathe fresh air, be with nature, and bond with family and/or friends. So if you're looking to take a road trip, our guide will help you find all the things you need to make your next road trip memorable and hassle-free!
Some Things to Keep in Mind
- Plan Early: When going on a road trip, the last thing you want to do is scramble around and toss things into your trunk. It's about saving space and keeping things as light as possible. The most efficient way to do this is to plan early on what you're going to pack.
- Safety: Make sure your car is in tip-top shape before you start off on your venture. Your brakes and air conditioning are a good place to start, but also make sure that your tires are inflated to just the right pressure.
- Lodging: If you plan on staying at hotels or motels along the way, make reservations early. Rooms can get pricey if you wait till right before the trip. Of course, early reservations mean that you'll have to be planning the trip ahead of time, so keep that in mind. Another option for the more adventurous is camping, which is usually free. All you need is a tent
- Have FUN!: Play some car games along the way. Try the alphabet game, the license plate game, road trip scavenger hunt, and more!
The Basics
There are some things you just have to have if you want to have a successful road trip.
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Although half the adventure is in getting lost, don't get too lost. However, if you do, GPS Systems are great for answering that age-old question, "Where are we?" |
When going on a road trip, you have to pack light, and even then, there can still be too much luggage. Buy a car topper for your bags so you'll have more space in your car to relax and spread out. |
You can't forget this little guy! You never know what might happen out on the open road. You may hit a deer, your car might break down, you may run out of gas. Whatever happens, it's a good idea to always have your cell phone in case of any emergencies. |
Speaking of emergencies, don't forget to pack an Emergency and First Aid Kit. You'll need medical supplies, car tools, and extra blankets and food in case you get stranded. |
Ok ok, so maybe music isn't essential, but you can't deny the importance of a good road trip soundtrack. Make a playlist on your MP3 player or on a CD and have it as your background music over the course of the trip. Popular road trip songs include: "Born to Be Wild |
For The Camper
Some things for the really adventurous road-tripper.
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Tents are perfect for sleeping, playing cards, and telling ghost stories. BOO! |
Sleeping underneath the stars is fantastic, and even more so when you have something fantastically comfortable underneath you. |
Well, there's not much to say about this item except that, well, um, it starts fires. Perfect for campers who don't feel like rubbing sticks together. |
Don't forget the toilet paper, cause you don't want to be caught with your pants down, literally! |
Pots & pans are a campers best friend: after a long day of traveling the best thing to do is relax and enjoy a good meal. |
For The Car
These are some things you should bring along, just in case.
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Even if you don't know much about cars, you should know that oil is extremely important. Don't forget to bring plenty along in case you have to have an impromptu oil change. Also, make sure you're educated on how to check the level, etc. |
Making sure your tire pressure is correct is also very important. Too much or too little air can lead to a flat tire. So, to avoid potential mishaps, bring a tire gauge along and check the pressure every now and again. |
Ok, I'm going to stop saying "and this is also important" because everything in your car is important. Each piece is a part of a puzzle that must fit together, or it won't work. As per usual, engine coolant is very important. Bring an extra jug along. |
In case your car battery dies, you'll need some jumper cables to get it going again. Don't forget to throw a set of these in your trunk. You might need 'em. |
Make sure that you've got a spare tire and some tools (jack, wrench) in your trunk. Most cars come with these things, but you've got to make sure or you may find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire. That wouldn't be very much fun, now would it? |
For The Suitcase
Bring some or all of these items along to ensure memory keepsake and entertainment.
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Don't forget a diary! Make an entry every night of what you did during the day. A perfect way to preserve memories. |
A camera also a wonderful way to preserve memories. Get a digital camera so you can upload images to your computer for mass sharing via email, social networking sites, etc. |
Don't forget to bring something along for the car ride. A couple of magazines and a book are varied enough to keep you occupied when you don't feel like chatting with other passengers. |
Unless you're going to a nudist colony, then you know that you'll need clothes. But which clothes? How many? Well, all of your questions can be answered by clicking here. |
These little guys (PSP, Gameboy, iPod, and more) are a great way to stay entertained if reading makes you queasy. Buy games for problem solving and brain stretching to give your a mind a good workout. |
Related Guides
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External Links
- RoadTripAmerica.com: Planning and picking tips for your road trip.
- About.com: Don't waste money on your road trip, save money.
- IndependentTraveler.com: Not ten road trip tips, but ten and a half.
- Uptake.com: An in-depth guide to prepare you for your next road trip.