A road trip can be a bonding experience, but it can also be an awkward one. Whether you're traveling with your best friends or some people you don't know super well, everyone is bound to end up getting closer (possibly too close for comfort) in the vehicle. Here's eight things that are bound to happen on any trip.
1. Space issues.
No matter how many people and / or bags are in the car, you will end up kicking someone's seat or getting your seat kicked, and everyone in the car will be uncomfortable at some point. Remember you're all in this journey together, so play nice.
2. Fights over music.
One of the greatest human divides. If you're somehow traveling with people who all have the same taste in music, then consider yourselves lucky. You don't have to deal with skipped songs and everyone grabbing at the phone plugged into the stereo to put yet another horrible song on the queue. However, with all of this fighting comes the ultimate knowledge that if the driver vetoes the music, then it must be changed.
3. The signature song.
This is the song that comes on the first time and everyone in the car is belting it out without shame, windows down. This song will get played whenever there is a lull in decision making on music and will most likely be hummed throughout the rest of your trip.
4. Bodily eruptions.
Surprise, people don't stop burping, farting, sneezing and coughing once they get in a compact space with four other people. The person letting loose has to deal with everyone in the car yelling at them, but everyone in the car has to deal with the resulting smell or germs so, it's a fair trade.
5. Food lookouts.
If you're in another country and don't have cell service, then this one is especially pertinent. Everyone in the car suddenly has to be alert and focused outside the vehicle, surveying the land for signs of decent food.
6. Driver madness.
As I said before, the driver has ultimate power in the car. They are the one's who can't stare at their phones or fall asleep for a bit, and they are the ones getting people where they need to go. And, because of this responsibility, they can get very tired, which can result in them locking the windows, yelling at backseat drivers and taking total musical control for a period of time. Treat your drivers well.
7. You will get lost, very lost.
Again, if you're in another country, then this one will absolutely happen. A bunch of 20-somethings in a car without GPS is generally going to result in some weird back road traveling and going the wrong way on highways. Make sure you bring an actual map and old-school written directions to avoid this.
8. You finally arrive.
Everyone falls out of the car at the final destination, muscles cramped, brains tired, probably a little dehydrated and looks at their car-mates and you'll know that these are some of the people who now know you best.