With summer being in full swing, it is finally time for sun, vacation and friends. And it's also the biggest season to finally get in that much anticipated road trip.

Road trips can take you to the coolest places in America, the smallest forgotten cities, and to the places most people just fly over on their way to their destinations. But how do you guarantee an awesome road trip? A road trip on the level of Britney Spears in crossroads, singing in a bar for money, and falling in love with a complete stranger.

As I am currently on a road trip at the moment (North Carolina to Maryland to New Jersey and back down to Florida), and am constantly on long trips to visit family and friends up and down the east coast, I have learned quite a bit about having a good road trip.

1. Pack your own food.

Yes, we all love our guilty fast food stops during a road trip, but honestly, one bad meal can end up ruining a day of vacation. Instead of stopping for a greasy burger, pack a cooler with your own food. You won't have to make an extra stop, and you won't feel terrible the next day.

2. Be prepared for tolls.

Especially if you're driving up north! Make sure to have dollar bills, and quarters, at the ready because it always awkward being the car to hold up the entire line. And trust me, Northern drivers are not the most patient of beings.

3. Release your inner DJ.

A road trip without music is no road trip, my friend. The quickest way to a miserable time in a car is silence, and because service can sometimes be shitty on the road, I advise you create your own playlist before hitting the road. Extra tip: include one Beyoncé song, or else you're not a real person.

4. Make time for at least one cool stop.

These stops can be planned or unplanned, but are always a fun time. Two of my favorite, and recommended, stops would be "the other Woodstock" in Virginia and the town of Mayberry in North Carolina. "The Other Woodstock" is not where the musical festival happened, but boasts its founding in 1752, far before the music festival that stole its name. Now they are making a comeback, and the town is actually the cutest thing that has ever happened. Mayberry, North Carolina, was the town from the show Andy Griffith, full of memorabilia for fans, but also a sleepy and quaint place to stop. After walking into a bluegrass festival by accident, I'll be sure to be back again.

5. Bring great friends.

A road trip is only as good as the company involved. Staring at the same road for hours and hours can become very tedious if you don't have someone with you to share the experience. Plus having someone to split up the driving with is always good.

6. Get your car checked before you leave.

You haven't had a bad day until your radiator breaks on the side of a mountain and you are stranded all alone with no phone service. True story. No matter what, make sure everything is checked before starting your journey, you'll be happy you didn't take the chance later.

7. Be flexible.

The number one reminder for a great road trip is to stay relaxed and let shit happen. A road trip is meant to make stories, be unpredictable, and be almost as fun as the destination your getting to. So have fun, live a little, and don't sweat the small stuff.