When I came to college, I found myself a long way from home. Chicago is 650 miles due north of Tuscaloosa, but the drive is around 750 miles and anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. Like any college student, I am cheap and prefer to save money wherever I can, which means I opt to drive instead of fly. So about four times a year, I make a 1500 mile round trip...by myself.

In honor of my Spring Break trip, these are the 10 things I always have to make the drive less painful.

1. Directions

I prefer Siri, but she has failed me more than I care to admit. I recommend sorting out your directional system before you end up in the middle of nowhere, begging for Siri to break the silence and get you home.

2. Snacks

There's nothing worse than having to make an unnecessary stop on an already unnecessarily long drive (for me, anyway.) I am also afraid of many of the gas stations I end up stopping in. So, pack your favorite snacks. It just makes life easier.

3. Drinks

The pretzels will make you thirsty. Make sure to at least put a water bottle in your car. I prefer drinks with straws, because I am excellent at spilling on myself while driving. Straws = one less thing to worry about. Packing drinks ahead of time = another thing not to worry about. Two birds, one stone.

4. Wallet

You need your license. You need your insurance cards. You need your cash and/or cards. Never let it out of your sight.

5. Gas Money

On my first solo drive I didn't realize that my debit card does not work at gas stations. Luckily, my dad always makes me carry cash for that very reason and I was able to make it home. Now, I make sure I have more than enough cash and a card that actually works (plus I earn airline miles so maybe one day I can go somewhere other than Tuscaloosa or Chicago).

6. Music

I am the queen of long playlists. Before every drive, I make a new playlist and try to fill it with as many songs as possible. Once I exhaust that playlist, I just cycle through the old ones. Another solution is to get Satellite radio, but to each his own.

7. Thoughts

You can't exactly pack this ahead of time, but a 12 hour drive is a great time to think things over. I have thought of many articles, short stories, bucket lists, etc. while driving. Just make sure to write them down when you stop - I've forgotten as many ideas as I've remembered.

8. Sunglasses

When you're covering hundreds of miles over 12 hours, odds are you will encounter the sun at some point. Make sure they're easily accessible, there's nothing worse than searching for sunglasses while the sun is blinding you.

9. Layers

Yes your car has heat and A/C, but I prefer to have layers ready to go. Plus, getting out at gas stations can be cold. You never know.

10. Chapstick

Another small item you don't want to spend searching for. Keep it somewhere you can see it, because again, odds are you will need it.