At some point in your life, you will have the opportunity to road trip with your closest friends. You could be road tripping for a couple hours to another friend’s house, or for a few days to spend spring break somewhere completely new. Being in the car with the same people for an extended amount of time has its challenges, but the rewards and bonds created trump any obstacles you may face. With a positive attitude and a few tips listed below, your road trip will leave you with many new experiences, stories, and lifelong memories.

1. Create a plan, but keep it loose.

There is something to be said about those who can start driving with no set destination. However, many road trips are intended for reaching a certain spot. Creating a tentative plan on where you’re headed, which cities you need to stop in (and spend the night, if necessary), and how long the trip will take is always a smart first step to take. Be sure to confirm any reservations ahead of time, as sleeping in a bed is much, much more comfortable than your backseat. However, although planning ahead is important in some aspects, allow your plans to fluctuate. Give yourself some extra time to go off-road and explore the new areas!

2. Use a real, actual map for authenticity.

As a young adult in our generation, Google Maps or MapQuest is hands-down the easiest navigation tool, but what is the fun in that? If we are graduating from college in a few years, we better know how to navigate ourselves using a physical map. It’s time to dig through your parent’s glove compartment and pull out that dusty map that you were never able to correctly fold as a child. Bring a sharpie, mark your starting point and destination, and show off your college education by accurately following a physical map.

3. Pack lightly and leave room to collect.

There are two types of people when it comes to packing: those who pack three outfits for each day and those who pack three outfits for one week. For road trips, the best way to tackle packing is to lighten your load as much as possible. Adventuring to new cities will give you an unlimited amount of opportunities to purchase new items whether they be clothing, knick-knacks, or the typical magnet that has that specific city’s most iconic landmark on it. Packing lightly will also give you extra comfort room in the vehicle, which can make a world of a difference for those extra long days! Wherever you go, there is no doubting that the load you end up with will be heavier than what you started with.

4. The best way to pass time is to jam to some tunes, preferably homemade mix-tapes.

The universally-known best part to road trips with friends is the jam sessions! What better way to pass by time than to belt out the latest top hit with your best friends? Of course the radio will always be playing the latest and greatest pop hits, but there is nothing better than hand-picked playlists by you and your friends. You can go old school and physically burn a CD (I know, we’re talking middle school old school), or simply create a road trip playlist on Spotify. Whichever source of music you choose, latest hits or the greatest throwbacks, jam sessions are a necessity.

5. Snacks, snacks and more snacks!

This is vital to a road trip no matter who you are with or where you are going. It does not make a difference whether you are traveling for an hour or 24, always bring snacks and water! Not only is it smart and safe packing in the case of an emergency, but it increases efficiency as well. No one wants to stop every thirty miles at the nearest gas station to load up on snacks. Get everyone to chip in money beforehand, go to a grocery store together, and pick out snacks that everyone will enjoy.

6. Be generous of those who have small bladders.

Yes, we all get annoyed of that one person that has to stop every couple hours to go to the bathroom. As a victim of this problem, I know that some of us cannot control our bladder’s limit! Make sure everyone utilizes the bathrooms at each stop to decrease unnecessary stopping, but also be generous to those that sometimes need that extra stop. Instead of being negative, look at it as an opportunity to stop somewhere new that you never would have if it weren’t for your bladder-cursed friend!

7. You are never too old to play I-Spy.

Just because we are in college does not mean that we are too old for road trip games. I find that playing some of the games now I had always played as a child makes me appreciate those memories much more than I ever have. I-Spy is such a classic game that if your friends and you put a creative twist on, can entertain you longer than you can imagine. Other road trip games are the License Plate Game, “I’m going on a picnic,” or 20 questions. These games give you the perfect opportunity to reminisce your childhood and bring out your inner youth!

8. Research the top-rated local shops and restaurants.

Whenever people ask me of places to eat or things to do specific to where I am from, I always respond with the same restaurant or activity. Each city, large or small, has something unique to their location that often times goes unnoticed. Research online or don’t be afraid to ask locals about what their city has to offer. Many will answer enthusiastically because they are proud of showing off their town to others. Be open to trying new things and always be respectful of new environments!

9. Take pictures until your memory card runs out of space.

I hate the idea of spending vacations/road trips using technology, but a camera is a must. I am all about living in the moment, but never stop taking pictures. The vastness of our world is immense and there is no possible way to remember every single detail of every location you’ve ever stepped foot in. Creating memories with some of the most important people in your life is so vital to living your life to the fullest. Capturing these moments on camera or film allows you to go back and re-live those moments for the rest of your life. Use your phone, camera, or even a disposable camera and turn those moments into everlasting memories.

10. Cherish those moments, for they will soon be lifelong memories.

You know that moment where the windows in your vehicle are down, your hair is blowing in your face, your favorite song is on, and you and your friends are singing at the top of your lungs? Be grateful for that moment, for some never have the chance to feel what you are feeling. Having the opportunity to road trip with friends, or anyone for that matter, is such a thrilling experience. Spend your time together with a positive mindset, laugh until your stomach hurts and cherish the small things that help to create the whole experience. Go beyond your limits, step outside of your comfort zone, and remember the moments that make you feel like you are on top of the world.

Your friends make the most compatible road trip companions because they know who you are and how to deal with you, especially when you’re tired, hungry, and sore from sitting in the vehicle all day. The ingredients to a successful road trip differ for everyone, but this previous tips listed are a great basis to start at. Enjoy the journey and all that it entails with your friends that you must take in order to reach your destination. After all, a journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.