If you one day decide out of the blue to take a road trip that will end up lasting 18 hours and bring you half way across the country, I've got all the tips you might need. Over this past weekend, I ended up driving for a total of 36 hours in order to visit New Orleans during one of the most magical times of the year, Mardi Gras. Although I was aware that 18 hours was a long time to drive, I was not quite ready for this experience. Let this article be a warning for anyone wanting to spend more than an hour in a car.

1. If you are planning on driving for a long time, try and avoid starting late in the day. It is extremely hard to stay motivated/awake when there is literally no light anywhere because it is 2 in the morning and you are in the middle of nowhere Mississippi.

2. If you are the one driving make sure someone stays awake with you. I thought that I would be fine driving when everyone else took a nap but believe me, it is so much easier when you have someone to talk too.

3. Bring more than 3 CDs. At some point the radio is bound to stop working and you will have to listen to CDs. After 16 hours of listening to the same Adele and One Direction CDs, you WILL go crazy.

4. Pack good snacks. Food is essential.

5. No one will ever agree to the same temperature in the car so make sure you bring a sweatshirt or blanket.

6. At one point in this insanely long car ride, you will lose your mind a little bit, but that is okay! Cry or scream if you need too.

7. Take pictures. Although in the moment you may hate your life and everyone in the car with you, these will end up being some of the best memories you have.

Throughout your trip you will be frustrated, tired, annoyed. You will also laugh harder than you ever have, take the best naps of your life and be forced to spend time with your friends. Road tripping with your friends is a once in a life time experience and everyone should try it out.