The time has come for the most epic summer road trip. You've packed your swimsuit, sunscreen, the aux cord and some snacks for the road. However, you are missing one very important thing that can make or break your trip: your perfect road trip partner. While it may be tempting to bring a sibling, best friend or significant other on your adventure, you have to ensure they know how to be a good road trip partner.
1. Be negotiable.
During the road trip you are going to have options on where to eat, what to listen to on the radio and where you might stop along the way. It is extremely important that your partner is open and willing to compromise. Make sure that you and your partner have similar tastes and they are not argumentative.
2. Be a good conversationalist.
During a five or six hour drive, there is going to be plenty of time for conversation with your road trip partner. It is essential that your partner is able to hold a conversation for an extended period of time. In addition, they should be able to come up with different topics that you both can talk about. For example, instead of talking about how school was this past semester, talk about what your ideal day would be.
3. Be smart.
When you are traveling with someone in the car for awhile, it is easy to get frustrated with them. Your ideal road trip partner should be someone who understands why you should not drink two bottles of water fast before getting in the car, someone who assists you in planning the route out so you have an idea of where you are going and someone who remembers to bring snacks.
4. Be understanding.
While your partner should be a good conversationalist, sometimes you are not going to want to talk. You have to have a partner who understands when you are not willing to talk or when you might be a tad bit cranky.
5. Be willing to split the driving.
After driving for hours on end, it is imperative that your partner is willing to take the wheel too. While this might seem like a given, some people refuse to be anything but the passenger.
Now you know the top five things your road trip partner should be. So grab your sunglasses, snacks and partner and go out and have the best road trip ever!