By Makenzie Crutcher on July 27, 2021 in Travel
Headed out on a cross-country adventure or making your annual trip home for the holidays? No matter how many hours your drive is, be sure to prepare well for the trip!
Rest up, Buttercup.
This one is first because it’s arguably the most important item on our list. While getting a solid night’s rest immediately before your drive is helpful, it’s also wise to try to get around 7-8 hours each night leading up to your departure.
Storing up on sleep helps your body feel more rested, so play some soothing classical music or meditate before bed to ensure you get the best quality sleep!
Grab a snackie…or two.
Road trip fuel is crucial to making it through your long journey. So, grab some healthy snacks and don’t forget accessories to help store them while you’re traveling. We always recommend stocking up on gum too! Chewing gum is something to keep you busy and certain flavors like peppermint are known to help keep you alert on the road.
Plan your pit stops.
Pit stops can be strictly business (if you smell what we mean), or they can be a bit of fun and add extra adventure to your trip.
Some drivers are on strict timelines and want to avoid wasting any time with extended stops, but if you’re not in a hurry, check out some roadside attractions along the way! You can always add a park or rest area to your travel itinerary for an active break from driving.
Pack lots of entertainment.
From podcasts to music to audiobooks, we’re here with recommendations GALORE. If your long drive is a family vacation, there are music and audiobooks that’ll keep the whole family entertained. If you’re on a solo road trip, you get full reign of the aux cord so you can play whatever your heart desires!
Plus, if you have passengers, try playing some car games! A fan favorite in the Midwest is “My Herd” where you yell, “MY HERD!” whenever you see a herd of cows. Keep track of everyone’s scores and reward the winner with an ice cream cone or soda at the next fast-food joint!
Document the trip.
Taking photos and videos on a trip invigorates you. There’s something special about documenting memories so they’ll last you a lifetime, plus it’s always fun to come back from vacation and show your family and friends what you did!
Travel notebooks are a great start – they help prompt you with certain topics to write about and help document pieces of your trip you may have overlooked. If you’re more of a free spirit, just grab a blank notebook and fill it with souvenirs and notes about your experiences.
We didn’t forget all of you tech-savvy peeps – all you need is your smartphone. Smartphones can take quality photos and you can end your trip with a rocking photo series to hang up in your house and brag about for years to come!
Conclusion
Most importantly, listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Don’t rush to arrive and drive safe. You will reach your destination in your own time!
As always, share your road trip adventures with us on Facebook or Instagram with #sayadventures, so we can see what you’re up to this summer.