Even though summer is quickly coming to a close for many, it doesn't mean there isn't time for one more spectacular adventure. Road tripping is an amazing experience to do with friends or family. Driving the country is amazing — even though road rage is real anywhere — and having shotgun is just as good, especially when you get to control the way you get wherever you're going. But...what about the dreaded backseat? That place with little legroom, no say in where you stop, or *gasp* no control over the music!? Have no fear, tips are here! As someone who spent a huge portion of their childhood sandwiched between two older siblings in the backseat on trips up and down the East Coast, I've learned a few things about backseat survival. Here are my 5 tips to survive the trip:
1. Music
If you're doing this with friends, see if you all can make a system where you each get a turn to control the Aux cord, or CDs, or whatever music device you're using. Or look at the amount of time you're planning to drive, and build a playlist together. Make it a mix of everyone's taste, and don't be afraid to add in a few songs you don't already know by heart.
If you're traveling with family, invest in earphones, and bring at least one spare pair. as far as music players go, this leads me to my second tip...
2. Power Supply
No matter what your various equipment runs on, bring extra. You do not want to be stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm in the middle of Virginia at 10pm when your GPS suddenly dies (true story). It doesn't matter if you are the navigator, bring an extra battery pack just to be safe. Even if the GPS is hooked up to the car, bring a spare. You never know when you'll need it.
On a less dire note, also bring spares for your phone or music player. Especially with the advent of Pokemon Go, you'll want to keep your electronics charged so you can catch 'em all away from home!
3. Books
Long trips are nothing if not boring and tedious. Bring a book with you. Even if you don't normally read, pick up something that looks interesting and give it a try. When there's no computer in front of you, and no to-do list on your mind, you'll be amazed at how the imagination can take flight in a good book.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine is the true love of 90's babies, and honestly every other generation that has to drive anywhere. There are some rules you need to remember for road trips though, because dehydration headaches are exactly like mega hangovers... minus smelling like alcohol. Alternate energy drinks with water or Gatorade, a one to one ratio is a good idea, one to two is better. Also, moderate all drinking if you don't want to stop every hour or so. This applies both to front seat and backseat people, everything is good in moderation, but the amount that counts differs person to person. For example: my roommate can drink all the tea and coffee she wants, whereas I can bang back a case of monster without blinking, but if we try to switch we both die.
5. Enjoy
Take in the sights, the world is huge and there's so much to see! Buy a couple of crappy, disposable cameras and take blurry pictures of the highway scenery! I'm telling you, doing that at night, out the window of a moving car with no flash can create some magnificent shots. There is so much cool stuff to see as you drive by it, don't let the world just rush by.
