It starts with a close up: you're staring out the passenger seat window. It might be lightly raining outside, or maybe the sun is setting between the passing trees. A song is playing, something moody but indicative of a beginning, something by The Dixie Chicks or Nico. Camera zooms out to show the whole car (it's a modest van, someone you love is driving) and the long road stretches out into rural nothing-ness before you.

It's a scene I played out in my head when I was younger and on long road trips with my family. Road trips seem so romantic and American and indicative of freedom. Every summer movie about friendship has a road trip scene tucked away in it. In these movies, road trips usually involve a lot of off-key singing, several wrong turns and a scene about having to pee but being unable to find a place to stop. These movies are basically guaranteed to make you think that the only way to have a meaningful, good time in July is to hop into your momma's minivan and head to Tennessee.

For a good reason! Road trips are the best way to travel--you get to see lots of nature (like the sides of highways) without leaving the comfort of air conditioning; hang out with your friends or family; and spend a lot of time gazing out the window pretending you're the protagonist in a movie that is about to begin.

And planning one that matches all the movie magic? Surprisingly easy!

1. The impetus to go

Whether it’s your frat getting kicked off campus, your dreams of becoming a singer being crushed by your over-protective dad, or finally getting a driver's license, there are many reasons (let's be honest, excuses) to go on a road trip.

2. Get a car worthy of being your chariot for the next few hours/days.

Think you could have driven without one?

3. Pick your friends.

My friends and I on a road trip to New Orleans from Tennessee. Summer 2014.

Unfortunately, this one takes several years of planning. Sorry if your friends suck, but that’s your fault.

4. PLAYLISTS

This step is key to keeping you awake. The best road trips come with a soundtrack worthy of sing-a-longs, emotional window gazing and midnight grooves. See "Crossroads" (a beautiful movie written by Shonda Rhimes and starring Pennsatucky, Lieutenant Uhura, and Britney Spears---it's as perfect as it sounds) for inspiration on how you and your crew should roll through the country:

The best way to make sure everyone in the car is happy with the music is to make a shared Spotify playlist. These are great because when one person adds a song, it is added to everyone's playlist, meaning that everyone has a say in what is and isn't on air.

But basically, from experience, I can tell you that there are four types of music that people like to listen to on road trips.

ROAD TRIP SONGS

Classic road trip songs are typically inspirational, country or easy to sing-a-long to. Definitely perfect for right when you get on the road--these songs will make you excited to be in a car for the next several hours.

THROWBACKS

These are all songs that were very popular in middle school. They are good for the middle stretch of the trip, when you've been on the road for a while, don't feel like talking anymore, and instead want to sing and dance a little.

OLDIES

Oldies are best for the sunset, when people are getting tired and you need to keep them awake, but you don't want to break the beautiful view with the sounds of Huey's "Pop, Lock & Drop It."

DANCE WORTHY

Dance worthy songs are like last resort energy shots. It's 2 AM and only Top 40 radio hits are going to keep you up and driving till 6.

You're welcome.

5. Pick your route

Obviously this is now absurdly easy because of smartphones, but it's definitely worth it to pre-plan activities along the way. Roadtrippers tells you which route to take to find the prettiest drives, delicious restaurants, beautiful rest stops, and weird roadside attractions--like abandoned amusement parks and statues of cows hatching out of eggs.

My favorite tool on the website is their pre-planned road trips, with road trips planned for movie lovers, foodies, and many other fun themed road trips.

Anyway, planning your road trip is probably a good idea, as unplanned road trips tend to end in cross country murder sprees, apparently.

6. Buy snacks!

Obviously, you can do this along the way. Convenience store magic, man.

Recommended: Coke Icees, Twizzlers, Cheetos, 64 ounce Big Gulps and anything from a fast food drive-thru.

7. All that other boring, practical stuff

Like gas, and money, and a comfortable change of clothes, and your driver's license, and a cell phone charger, and blah blah blah. You know, the stuff you actually need to go on a road trip.

So get out there, hit the road, and have an adventure worthy of your next profile-picture.