So, it’s now glorious summertime. You’ve stared down the bloodthirsty beast of Finals week and escaped with your life, and now you’re looking at the calendar and figuring out how you can cram as much insanity and awesomeness into the next few months. And of course, a road trip crosses your mind. And why shouldn’t it? You’re young, there’s a lot of world to see and you’ve seen just a small fraction of it, you’ve got friends who are willing to tag along, and you have (some) cash to burn!

So what do I, a random internet presence, think about your desire to go on road trip? Um...by all means, go for it. But, before you do…

I entreat you, take the sage advice of a seasoned road tripper: me. You may know the basics—where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and who you’re going with—but let me tell you, there are a few fundamental things that can be the difference between an unforgettable adventure and the longest, most cramped torture-fest of your young life. Lucky for you, I’ve got is covered. So sit back, and let me tell you what you need to have for an unbelievable road trip.

1. A Music System to Avoid Annoyance

(Source: www.macworld.co.uk)

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving down the street or you’re driving across the nation and beyond, you need music. And not only that, you need a system for listening to that music. Why? So. Many. Reasons. The thing about road trips is (drum roll) they’re long, and a song you liked the first hour of the trip may not be so enjoyable the 47th time around. Plus, everyone likes something a little different. The best way, then, to alleviate annoyance and make everyone happy is to create a group playlist, that everyone can share to and be a part of, preferably through Spotify Premium. Be sure to put a lot of music on it, enough for plenty of days on the road. And also, have a VETO rule: meaning, if a song comes on and someone hates that song with a passion, they can use their VETO once that hour to skip it. This way, if a Camp Rock song starts playing, you have every right to make it stop.

2. Free Places to Crash

(Source: gosomeplacenow.com)

I adore free stuff, so I couldn’t recommend this to you more. This is the best way to road trip. You’re paying for food and gas and souvenirs, but the one thing you don’t have to pay for is places to stay, if you play your relational/familial cards right. Chances are, wherever you’re heading, one of you knows someone who knows someone who would be willing to let you stay at their house. All you have to do is ask. On my recent road trip from Azusa to Seattle, we only payed to stay at one place, and that was thirty bucks for a campsite. Don’t underestimate the hospitality of your acquaintances. Just be grateful.

3. A Well-Structured Plan That Could Change at Any Time

A great road trip is like a great date: you want to have the general framework of the plan figured out, but leave enough space for spontaneity and chance. For the planners out there: please plan. We couldn’t do it without you. Figure out the route, the stops, the cost, all of those critical details that keep us alive. But as you do that, leave some room for the go-with-the-flow bunch like myself. Some of the best adventures of my life have happened because we saw a sign off on the side of the road and said, “What the heck? Why not?” (Case in point: that photo above.) Make sure you leave space for stuff like that. Prepare for spontaneity. And also, prepare for things to go wrong. Because they will. Campsites will be closed. The rain will not stop. You will get lost. Let that be a part of the adventure, too.

4. Space to Regain Your Sanity

(Source: huffingtonpost.com)

Here’s something you maybe haven’t thought about: your best friends in the whole wide wonderful world? You’ll get tired of them. Every quirk and behavior you’ve seen intermittently throughout your friendship will now be crammed in the seat beside you, on display 24/7, and it will start to annoy you. A lot. So prepare for that. Once a day, maybe even a few times, take some time for each individual to have their space, napping, reading, staring out the window. A road trip is a lot of things, but it ultimately turns out to be a test of friendship. Can you guys handle constant exposure to each other and come out better because of it? I think you can. But allow yourselves alone time every now and again. You deserve it.

Well, those are the top four things you need to know. There’s more, of course—get some inside jokes to sustain you along the way, have a designated photographer, stock up on Smucker’s Uncrustables before you go. But I think you should figure out the rest. That’s the fun of the road trip. It’s yours. So drive safe, pay as little as possible, and go explore the world. You won’t regret it.