Road trips are like carnivals. They always sound like a good idea, music and good company. What could be more fun? Unfortunately, much like carnivals, you often find yourself in the middle, nauseous and end questioning your safety and sanity. Currently half way through a coast to coast drive, I have learned there are certain things that help to make the trip more enjoyable. Whether you are driving five hours away or five days away, here are a few tips.

1. DO pack your own food

When your only purchasing options are skittles or skittles you are going to wish you thought ahead. And on that note, don't forget to bring all the necessary eating tools. You can't eat an avocado with your hands. Although you can try. Utensils and straws are more helpful then you'd think.

2. DON'T forget to download your Spotify and iTunes playlists for offline listening.

When you lose service and all you have for two hours is the Taylor Swift collection, you will regret this. You can only listen to Blank Space so many times before you lose it. My breaking point was 43, yours could be anywhere.

3. DO pack baby wipes.

Partially for your hands after you do try to eat the avocado with your grimy paws. Partially for those hundred mile stretches in which nature is your only rest stop.

4. DON'T watch horror films before your journey.

I won't lie, an old woman smiling in the window of a gas station at midnight is significantly more frightening when you have convinced yourself beforehand that she is a human-specific taxidermist and going to sell your organs on the black market.

5. DO pay attention to how your vehicle is operating.

Any light, pull, sound, take a minute to listen or look closer.

6. DON'T forget to keep cash for tolls.

They don't take cards or bribes of strawberries, trust me. Don't worry, they just send you a bill for the toll, along with a fat violation fee.

7. DO read every sign

Especially as you cross between states and laws and policies are changing. Keep yourself up to date on what the speed limit is, as well as various state laws.

8. DON'T forget to enjoy the journey.

You get the gift of experiencing so many different types of communities, especially on a long trip. Soak it in, notice the way things vary in our many subcultures. Appreciate nature, even when it's miles and miles of corn fields. There is always time to smell the roses.