There’s something special about road trips. It’s just you and the road with a few of your friends and/or family. Road trips a great way to discover parts of the country you didn’t know existed and bond with people along the way. That’s if everything goes according to plan, however.
Road trips can just as easily turn into a nightmare if you don’t prepare properly. Just missing one detail or making one mistake could turn an otherwise perfect trip into a disaster. Here are a few tips for planning the road trip of a lifetime.
Brush Up On Your Skills
Depending on where you’re coming from, you might be overwhelmed by the driving habits in other parts of the country. These can vary quite a lot from one city or state to another. Some cities manage traffic better than others. Some have better roads, and some will have more aggressive or courteous drivers. This is why we would suggest you brush up on your driving skills before leaving.
One great way to do so would be to take defensive driving classes. You have services like DriveSafe Online that give 1- to 6-hour courses that you can take from wherever you are. You’ll get additional driving skills that will prepare you for all sorts of situations and even a certificate that could allow you to save on insurance.
Make Sure Everyone’s on the Same Page
You have to make sure that you sit down with everyone you’ll be traveling with and devise a plan. You want everyone to have their say on destinations and activities.
You have to sure that you agree on what type of lodging you’re going to go for, who’s going to be driving and when, your budget, if you’re going to be buying food separately or as a group, etc. These are all things that could become issues later on, so get them out of the way now.
Have Plenty of Entertainment
You also have to make sure that you have plenty of entertainment. You can set up a few playlists before you leave. Podcasts are one of the best ways to pass the time while you’re on the road. They’re engaging but not too distracting and can make for great conversation.
Leave Some Space for Improvisation
Also, while it’s nice to have a plan, you also want to leave some space for discovery. If you plan to visit several cities, you can have a loose plan for the day, but allow yourself time to just explore the city. Speak with the locals and ask about things you have to see in the city. You might be able to find things you won’t find on Yelp or TripAdvisor.
If you want to have a road trip that you and your family or friends are going to remember, follow our few simple tips. Preparation is everything, so make sure that you spend most of your time on building a plan.
Featured image by Pixabay (ErikaWittlieb).
