Summer is the season of road trips, and the best road trips aren’t just about the destination—they’re about how you get there. Whether you’re headed to the next state over or crossing the country, here are some hacks and tips to make the ride itself something worth remembering.
Driving Tips
Here are some tips for a more pleasant ride.
Some people prefer to drive during the off hours of the evening to avoid congestion. And fair enough. A strategy like this could save you several grey hairs in high-volume areas, like the northeast.
But, the opportunity cost is great. Driving in the dark means no scenery, and no sense of the places you are passing through. And if that doesn’t bother you, then why are you driving? If you don’t care about the scenery and simply want the fastest route, then save yourself the trouble and take a flight instead.
Road trips should take place during the day, when you can take it all in. Nights should be spent enjoying a new place.
To avoid congestion and make your life easier as the day goes on, get up early. Really early—like 5 a.m. There won’t be many cars on the road, and you’ll get to watch the day come to life. By mid-day, you’ll have already knocked out a lot of driving, giving you flexibility if you want to make an afternoon stop.
As tempted as you will be to make up or make better time by following faster cars, push your luck long enough and you’ll be introducing yourself to a state trooper, which should be avoided at all costs. Getting pulled over and receiving a ticket can put a damper on a road trip in a hurry.
Taking state and county roads instead of large interstates has many benefits. There are less crowds, more scenery, and since the roads are smaller, there’s less temptation (or need) to speed.
Snack And Drink Tips
Save money and eat better by bringing your own snacks and drinks.
If your trip is just a couple hours, then loading a cooler with ice may be unnecessary. But on trips longer than 3 hours, it starts to make sense. It’s summer, so it’s hot, and since you’ll want to be careful about what you eat (see below), a cooler can really be useful. Use it to keep snacks fresh and to offer ice-cold drinks as a treat on the go.
Having a cooler will also open up more options—you can stop at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere and offer your passengers cold drinks, for example, whereas without a cooler, you’d have to wait until you reach civilization. Even a small, cheap cooler can provide a big boost to morale on hot days. If you don’t want to deal with ice, consider a plug-in cooler with a car adapter.
It may sound smart to eat a big, heavy meal prior to or during a road trip. After all, you’ve got a long drive ahead of you, and you’re not sure what will be available down the road. But I suggest resisting this temptation. Overeating can cause fatigue and/or stomach discomfort, which will be good for neither you nor your fellow passengers. Best to eat small-to-medium sized meals or stick to snacks until dinner.
Navigation Hacks
Navigating today is easier than ever thanks to modern technology. But a few old-school tricks can improve your trip.
Because GPS works so well these days, it would be easy to just jump in the car, enter the address, and blindly follow the given directions. But take the time to review your route from a bird’s eye level, such as on Google Maps. Zoom out to understand the general direction you are traveling, which cities/terrain you expect to go through, and where the halfway point might be. While not necessary for navigation, it will give you a better perspective on where you are traveling (perhaps inspiring some short stops) and can help you mind map things like gas, food, and bathroom breaks.
You probably won’t need to use it to navigate, but if you find yourself without service, signal, or battery, it can save a lot of trouble. A simple road atlas will suffice, though themed options, like food and adventure, are also available. Paper maps are great for kids and curious passengers who might want to follow along, helping them connect deeper with the journey.
A road trip can be a great experience, whether by yourself or with friends and family. Incorporate these tips and hacks to make your trip smooth and easy.