1. A pre-trip pow-wow with your traveling companions will do wonders to minimize trouble down the line. Have each person list their “Must-Dos,” and do your best to make them happen. You may also want a (very short) list of “Must-Not-Dos”…but be flexible.
2. Speaking of traveling companions, make sure they’re people you like. A lot. If you have tension with a person before embarking on a road trip, chances are it’s not going to get better when you’re lost on a back road in Mississippi with no functional radio stations and have been subsisting on nothing but Little Debbies for six hours.
3. You know what? Bring a cooler. I never do, but I can imagine that on Day 5 a for-real turkey sandwich would sound much better than the aforementioned Little Debbie.
4. Before you leave, have a good mechanic give your car a once-over. At the very least, put air in the tires and change the oil. I don’t do this, but I should. So should you.
5. Make sure you have all your documentation in a safe place. No losing-of-licenses on road trips, please.
6. Bring (lots of ) music with you for those spots where the radio just doesn’t cut it.
7. Whenever possible, choose local, mom-and-pop-style eateries over fast food (exceptions can be made for Waffle Houses and Sonic Drive-Thrus, obviously).
8. Don’t over-plan. Part of (most of, in my opinion) the fun is in the getting there. It’s important to feel free to take that cool-looking side road, and to not worry too much about sticking to a schedule.
9. Also, don’t feel guilty about occasionally wanting to get off the charming, windy back roads and use the highways. Sometimes you just want to get there.
10. Have a AAA membership. This has saved me many, many times.
11. GPS, good. For-real paper map, also good. Take both.
Anything else?
Photo via msideadmissions
