1. Take care of your body.
A bag of chips and two Red Bulls do not constitute a healthy meal while on the road. You're going to want to keep your stomach happy throughout the trip, lest you want to find yourself stuck in a truck stop bathroom for 45 minutes. If you don't have much time to sit down and eat, or you are trying to save money, then stick to the healthy basics such as fruit, nuts, jerky, and water. Most gas stations will have all of these things readily available to you, and you won't have to worry about an upset stomach.
2. Use cruise control.
It may feel weird at first, letting the car control the speed while you awkwardly find something else to do with your right foot, but in the long run cruise control saves gas and it insures that you don't accidentally go over the speed limit. Also, the drivers around you will appreciate you not fluctuating between 60 and 90 miles per hour every five minutes.
3. Rest when needed.
This goes hand in hand with taking care of your body. If your eyes start to feel heavy, pull over and take a nap. No one is going to make fun of you for it, and it will probably make you feel more rejuvenated than that third Red Bull would have. There is no reason to fight your body's need for rest, particularly in a heated car in the summer—that's a fight you don't want to lose at 80 miles an hour on the highway. All it really takes is a good 30 to 40 minutes for a nap to restore your energy, so why not? Plus, car naps are the best!
4. Think cheap when filling your gas tank.
If you're driving out-of-state then remember that gas prices vary, sometimes as much as a dollar or more per gallon! Plan ahead and get gas when it's cheap. Gas prices typically go up as you move farther away from the Midwest, especially in Western states such as Nevada, California, and Utah. If you're heading west, fill up as often as possible before you hit those expensive states. Your parents will be happy that you could save them the extra few bucks.
5. Make a detour.
Sure you planned your route weeks in advance (or last minute like me), but that doesn't mean you have to follow it. Why not check out that national park with all of the gorgeous trees or visit that town with the world's largest thermometer? Taking a detour is half the fun of a road trip; it's about finding new and unexpected things along the way. You never know what you'll find, maybe even the love of your life. Who knows?
6. Vary your music choices.
Yes, of course you want to go through your best playlists on Spotify and sing along as loud as you can—we've all done it—but do you honestly want to do that for nine straight hours? If you want to keep the variety up, try downloading a few audio books before you leave, or try listening to the latest jokes from your favorite comedian on apps like Pandora. Also, remember that sometimes you won't find service on your phone while driving, so bring some CDs just in case. Or you could just turn everything off and listen to the sound of your own thoughts. It's not weird. I promise.
