Hit the Road: Summer Road Trip Tips

Whether it’s a two-hour drive to a concert in a neighboring city or a full-blown RV trip cross country, road trips can pack in loads of excitement, adventure, and discovery. Here are some key elements and tips for a smooth sailing road trip.

Music

Compile some of your favorite tunes and make a mix to keep you entertained on the road. Depending on the length of the journey, make a CD for every hour. If you want to get in the driving zone and just chill out, try the Garden State soundtrack for starters. Audio books are sure to keep you engaged for a while, but try to avoid them for the long haul. The best bet for road tunes include those of the fast, sing-along variety, here’s a sample list to make the time fly (and yes, my music taste really is this random):

Black Eyed Peas: Pump It
Cowboy Mouth: Jenny Says
Franz Ferdinand: Take Me Out
Sisqo: Thong Song
Bon Jovi: Livin’ On A Prayer
Journey: Any Way You Want It
Ben Folds: Song For The Dumped
The Killers: Somebody Told Me
Katrina and The Waves: Walking On Sunshine
KT Tunstall: Black Horse And The Cherry Tree
Modest Mouse: Float On
Wham: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Shania Twain: That Don’t Impress Me Much
Gomez: GirlShapedLoveDrug

Food

Grab some non-meltable snacks for the open road and stock up the liquids. Pack it in a cooler if you’re feeling fancy, otherwise just rock that Thirst-Buster til you’re down to the last drop.

Travel Allies

Needless to say, you should get along with your travel buddies. Hours upon hours stuck in a 5x6 space can lead to major drama if you don’t combo the right group of people. Also, make sure everyone knows they’re paying equal parts for gas.

Gas money

Speaking of pitching up cash for gas, set aside a budget for the road. If anything, overestimate the amount you’ll need to devote to gas. With disgustingly high prices right now, this summer might not be the best time to hit the open road in the states. Check prices HERE so there won’t be any surprises.

Keep to a Schedule

Set some goals while you’re barreling down the interstate; it’s not the time to be sleeping in till noon and getting a late start. There’s no need to be uptight—your passengers certainly won’t appreciate that—but have a good idea about where you should be and when. Daylight will be your best friend.

Be willing to go off schedule

Go see “The Thing.” Grab a Thirst-Buster. Eat at sketchy roadside restaurants. Driving to your destination should be half the fun, so be willing to ignore part of your schedule to take part in an unplanned adventure.

Click It or Ticket

Buckle up, it’s the law, and beyond that, it’s sensible.

Here are some pictures from my most recent road trip, albeit a short one. It was my final ride from Tucson to Las Cruces. After three years living in the ‘zona and making the four hour drive home a few times each semester, I’ll miss seeing the scenery that kept the trip interesting (well….tolerable, at least).