Every July my family hosts a reunion, which means every July I have to make my way to wherever they decided to hold it. For the past few years, the reunion has been in South Carolina. Now, making your way from New York (where I live) to South Carolina is not an easy trip, but eventually, you learn the right tricks to get you through the long drive.
So for those of you who might not take long road trips often, here are my tips on how to survive one.
1. Choose the right people
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There is nothing worse than sitting in a cramped car with people you can't stand. If you're going with your entire family and you and your Mom argue a lot, choose to go in the car she's not driving it'll be appreciated by all. If it's not possible to ride in a separate car then read on.
2. Pick a good GPS navigator
Do not make the mistake of picking a GPS navigator that doesn't work well. You don't want to end up in a ditch somewhere. My personal favorite is Waze. It always chooses the best route and even changes it due to traffic. The app is based on self-reporting, so other drivers can warn you about hazards, accidents, and police cars.
3. Make sure you have playlists
Kiera Bertrand
A road trip isn't a road trip without some good music. Whether you create your own playlists or find some other people have made, make sure you have some. Places like Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Google Play Music all have free playlists for you to listen to. Music makes the drive a lot more bearable, and a sing-a-long here and there is always fun.
4. Have some games up your sleeve
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The one battle you're always fighting on a road trip is boredom, so a few games that even the driver can play wouldn't be a bad idea. There are classics like I spy, the license plate game, 20 questions, and I'm going on a picnic.
5. Bring some snacks
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Snacks are always essential on a road trip, but you have to make sure they aren't too messy. Finger foods are always a good idea, and they also happen to keep the mind occupied. Snacks are also good because the fewer stops you make, the faster you'll get to your destination.
6. Car air freshener is always a must
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I don't know about you, but I can't stand a stinky car. A four-hour drive or longer can create some funky scents, so it's best to have some car air freshener to fight the odors.
7. Bring some pillows and blankets
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I always end up sleeping a bit when I'm on a drive (not when I'm actually driving of course), but it's kind of hard to sleep when the only thing to rest your head on is the hard seat of the car. That's why I always have a pillow handy, and it helps to keep the neck pain away.
8. Have a book or some games on your phone
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It's hard to pass the time when your stuck in the same place for long period of time. In order to help with that I always bring a book and make sure I have some games downloaded on my phone. It makes the hours go by a lot faster and before you know it you'll arrive at your destination.
9. Always have a phone charger
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A phone charger is a necessity, especially if you're using it for the GPS or to curve your boredom. Don't forget it!
10. Don't forget about the driver
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The driver is the one person in the car that doesn't get to occupy themselves with anything to make sure they aren't bored out of their minds. This means maybe starting up a conversation here and there or maybe ask them if they need a break once in a while. If you're the passenger try to make the drive as easy as possible, so open up their drink and make sure they know where it is they're going.
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
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