Being a Michigan native throughout my whole life, I have made my fair share of road trips across the United States.
From Orlando to Las Vegas, my car has seen many miles across this great country and I have learned a few tips along the way on how to make a road trip as successful as possible.
If you are going on a far road trip like I have that might take the majority of a day if not more to complete, then these seven tips are a must for you!
1. You better love the people you are traveling with.
Road trips that take a day or two to complete seem like an eternity since the majority of the time it's just you guys and the road. Make sure the people you are traveling with are really people you would like to be crammed in a tiny box for what will seem like a month straight. Chances are, even if you do love them, you will be ready for a small break after the road trip. But if you don't like them? Yikes! That can turn into something scary.
2. Research and split costs before you leave.
Before you even leave for the road trip, it is essential that you calculate how much the traveling costs will be. One positive of long road trips over flying it is the money you save, but you still want to account for how much that is going to be. Apps like the AAA fuel cost calculator are a great way to determine gas prices and simply split the cost between your party. Also, don't forget to account for the cost of traveling on toll roads. Additionally, see if there is an alternative route that only takes a few minutes longer but avoids tolls, that can save you a lot of money in the long run.
3. Have your music ready! And a lot of it!
If you're going to be in a car for a day or two, then you need good music. Make a playlist that is going to last for the trip. If you come prepared with only 60 songs then you better love those songs enough to hear them again and again. I usually have a playlist of 300 songs that I start from the beginning and let run through alphabetically which seems to last the entire trip. If CD's are your thing, then make sure you bring a lot of them. Just make sure your music options are endless, not to mention, the more you like the music the less likely you are to fall asleep at the wheel.
4. Assign shifts for driving and skip the unnecessary hotels.
Many people find hotels on the way of their lengthy route to stop and rest. For example, say you are traveling with three people on a 24 hour route, instead of crashing for a night at a hotel, why not break up the shifts and get to your destination quicker for free time? Chances are you're already paying for a hotel there, so this is a great way to avoid even more lodging fees. On a recent 36 hour drive from Detroit to Reno, my vehicle had four drivers in which each driver took three hour shifts. That gave you three hours to drive and nine hours to sleep and rest. If you have two people, see if you can grind out four or five hour shifts. This allows you to get to your end destination sooner and save more money to spend on your trip.
5. Research what places you will be passing and visit them!
Usually on a long road trip there are many interesting cities you will pass along the way! Put your route into Google or MapQuest and see what these cities are and if there is a short activity to do on the way such as, hiking or simply eating out. On a recent drive from Detroit to New York City, I noticed that Pittsburgh was on the way. My friend and I decided to stop for a quick bite and some kayaking on the river and it instantly became one of my favorite places to visit. In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons why driving is better than flying!
6. Take photos! (Duh)
Another benefit of driving is all the scenery on the way! If I were to fly from Detroit to Reno I would have never seen all of the mountains and beautiful landscapes in Utah and Wyoming. Take pictures of these and treat the drive as half of the adventure! The United States has one of the most diverse geographies in all of the World. One second it's farmland in Nebraska and the next thing you know I am surrounded by mountains in Wyoming. Some of the best views come while on the road, capture them!
7. Eat at places you couldn't back home!
I absolutely hate when people want to stop at McDonald's or KFC while on a road trip. In my opinion, one of the best parts about a lengthy road trip is the views and different towns you cross on the way. Each town has its own unique culture and lifestyle, including the food and local favorites in that area! Don't eat somewhere you could back home. Try something new that is unique to the area you are in! This may take some research before you leave, or you can just be spontaneous about it and stop at the first restaurant you see a sign for that you never heard of. Chances are, like me, you are going to find some new favorite spots to eat that you would have otherwise never tried. Next thing you know you are intentionally stopping there on your next road trip in that direction.
There you have it! Those are my seven most important tips for a successful road trip. Road trips can be lengthy, tiring and boring, but only if you make them that way. A road trip shouldn't just be logistical travel from your home to your end destination, but rather it should be a part of the vacation itself. By executing these seven tips, you will find out that road trips are half the fun of every adventure.
