One popular notion comes to mind when we think of the average college student: broke. In this day and age, what with steadily rising tuition rates and steadily declining job opportunities, it's near to impossible for college kids to take a load off and relax on a vacation. The word "vacation" even has an aura of frightening gloom with its usual correlation to mucho money. Behold! There is a way to side-step the soul-crushing costs of cross-country travel -- in seven easy steps.
1. Bare necessities.
While it is excellent to simplify, make sure you bring absolutely everything you could possibly need. First things first, to help expel some of that extra travel expense, simplify your basic needs while also bringing all of your necessities. No need to spring all your spending money on that forgotten toothbrush or hair dryer. If you own it and you use it --bring it.
2. The more the merrier.
When planning your dream road trip make sure you plan with the people you intend to travel with. Not only will these added bodies provide more opportunities for memory making on the trip, they will also help cut gas and lodging costs way down. Having friends totally pays off!
3. Pitch the tent, ditch the rent.
While doing all this driving and traveling it can be easy just to pull into your nearest hotel or motel -- well, don't. When you can avoid it, find a campsite instead. Not only is this way cheaper than booking a room for the night, but it also allows for closer bonding with your fellow road tripsters. And who doesn't love a nice campfire over powdered eggs and yogurt? Pitch that tent.4. Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!
When planning a road trip remember that the car you chose to do your cross country biddings needs not only to be in fit mechanical shape, but needs to comfortably fit all the members of said road trip. No matter how much you love your friends, hours and hours in a car with them might make you think otherwise. Find your pal with the most spacious ride and burn some rubber.
5. Music to thine ears.
Have a lot of mileage to cover? Bring more than enough music to satisfy your musical tooth. Always prepare for absolutely no radio service anywhere and make sure everyone brings their favs. A little bit of Meatloaf, some Tay Tay Swizzle, gotta have those Queen beats...whatever it takes to keep your minds off the hours and hours of driving and on those sweet swingin' sounds.
6. Schedule, schedule, schedule.
When you are doing lots and lots of driving, it is necessary to make a driving -- you guessed it -- schedule. No one person should be left to drive the whole haul. Divvy it out and stick to it. That will make for an efficient trip and happy trippers.
7. The bowels of road tripping
Finally, treat your body well on this trip. You'll be discovering new places and new foods and your body needs to be prepared. We all know how out-of-whack our systems can get whilst on the road. Bring along all the medicine you may need and eat as healthy as possible. Heck, bring snacks along -- not only will these familiar treats be good for your tummy, bringing food along will cost your gang less in the long run. For a heavy wallet-ed and happy in-sync you on your adventure, cart along those comfort snacks.
There you have it, seven quick tips to road tripping that make it completely possible for any and all college kids to get out there. So go on, get your gang together, plan a route, and get discovering. You only live once, so never stop wandering.
Happy travels!
