So… we had some “oops” and “if only we would have” moments on our road trip. We hope to help you (and us) avoid any road trip disasters in the future! Although there is still more to learn, here are some must do’s and things to avoid when planning a road trip.
Do’s …
- Do Your Research – As free spirited as it sounds to just get in the car and start driving, it is really important to do some research beforehand. Important things to know include travel time, route, weather, and stops along the way. Luckily for me, Patrick researches everything (like really, everything) and it came in handy! In the midwest we were often without cell service for a long time. Having maps loaded and the route pre researched, we didn’t get lost or lose time. Knowing weather as we moved across the country also proved to be invaluable. We may have been stubborn and almost froze in our tent the first night… but we were prepared for snow and other weather changes that came.
- Do Eat Local – Most tourist destinations and rest stops are full of chains and tourist trap restaurants. These restaurants may be easy to find, but you can get their food anywhere and it’s probably not as good as the local faire. It takes less than 10-15 minutes to research nearby local restaurants and reviews! Patrick has mastered the art of picking restaurants, so I have to give him credit for this tip. He typically uses a combination of google maps reviews, trip advisor, and top google searches. You can typically find restaurants at all different price ranges and experience MUCH better food than the chains. In our experience the staff and other patrons in local restaurants also give the best sightseeing advice! We tried local diners, and burger joints along the way, and were never disappointed!
- Do Travel With the Basics – This tip is pretty self explanatory… make sure you take time before you leave to get the basics. It will save to time and money. Some MUST items include: cash for tolls/emergencies, layers/blankets for comfort/weather changes, car chargers, and car emergency equipment (spare tire, jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, etc). Other items, that I would argue to be basics include: entertainment (audiobooks, podcasts, music), and snacks/drinks. Each trip is different, but these items will help you cover the bases and remain comfortable on a road trip!
- Do Keep Your Car Organized – Soooo…… I was not very good at this one, and thats why im recommending it to you now. I lost a pair of pajamas, had a mound of random things in my passenger seat, and often had avalanches of stuff out of my car. Starting organized and staying organized will help you make sure you can find things when you need them and remain comfortable in your car. You may be exhausted or cold when you stop, but take time to stay organized! I’m going to attempt to follow this tip on my next road trip as well…
Dont’s….
- Don’t Set Unreasonable Distance Goals – While you may be able to drive 15 hours straight to get to the beach, it’s unrealistic to be driving that amount continually for several days. Consider all of you variables and pick an achievable distance. Things to factor in include fatigue, food, and gas stops as well as some extra time. We drove in separate cars, so we weren’t able to swap driving. To remain sane we drove one 11+ hour day at the beginning of our trip and then stuck to about 7-8 hours a day. Although you are not exercising, driving is physically exhausting and recovery time is important for safety and sanity 🙂
- Don’t Get Stuck on One Type of Lodging – Like most people, my go to for overnight stays are hotels, but there are MANY other options. On our trip we were limited due to weather and location. This being said, we used several different sources including priceline.com, booking.com, and kayak.com. For remote areas hotels seem to be the best choice and are often cheaper in these locations. This being said, make sure you consider airbnb, camping, and other unique lodging. We have saved a lot of money and had great experiences with these options on other trips! Just research (Patrick’s favorite word), and don’t feel limited.
- Don’t Forget to Stretch and Exercise-Day 1 = no pain….. End of Day 2 = lots of pain. You may feel okay initially, but sitting all day can really affect your body on a multi-day road trip. Both Patrick and I experienced pain in our lower back, and legs. Start off right and avoid this pain, by stretching consistently and exercising when you can. A day off with a little exercise helped us a lot, and will make a difference for you too. Stretch at rest stops and when you stop for the night!
- Don’t Exclusively Stop at Tourist Destinations – Tourist stops are a great place to start, but don’t limit yourself to these places. Look for highly rated local spots to add to your trip and try new things. We tried a local hot spring spa on our trip, and loved it! Local and off the map attractions will typically cost you less, and you will experience something that most people don’t when they visit.