It’s that time of year when people begin checking the long-term forecast to determine when – if ever – this winter will end. It’s also around this time that people’s thoughts turn to the open road and traveling. After a long winter cooped up indoors, we can finally plan our escape. For many, that escape is a good old-fashioned road trip.
While it’s true that a road trip only needs two elements (people and a car), a perfect road trip is more challenging to execute. If it’s perfection you’re after, we’ve got the right advice. Below, explore eight things you need for an exciting, relaxing and seamless road trip.
Some people over-plan their road trip, leaving no room for (mis) adventure and spontaneity. Others under-plan their road trip, leaving themselves vulnerable to “no vacancy” accommodations and missing out on some must-see sites along the way.
Consider the middle path – a “Goldilocks” option for planning a road trip. Stick to the two-thirds rule, planning most of your adventure (like accommodations, and a few notable sites) but leaving the rest to chance.
Merino wool feels like it was tailor-made in a lab to be the perfect road trip clothing material. Everything about the ultrafine sheep’s wool complements long journeys: It’s breathable, sweat-wicking, insulating, fast-drying and wrinkle-resistant. The material stands up to a range of climates and weather patterns, making it a highly versatile travel companion.
Best of all, Merino wool is antibacterial, meaning it wards off body odor to keep you smelling fresh – even days or weeks after the last wash. Therefore, a little goes a long way. You only need to pack a few key garments, saving space in your trunk for other essentials. For travel-focused Merino clothing, check out the Unbound Merino website.
Playlists are the heartbeat of a road trip. They keep the pace, lift the mood, and pass the time. They’re also instrumental in creating lasting memories.
Put another way, don’t skip the pre-road trip playlist creation process. It would be a mistake to rely on the Spotify algorithm for the entire trip, or settle for a premade “open road vibes” playlist made by someone else. Together with your travel mates, spend the afternoon prior to the trip creating numerous playlists for various moods, locales and situations.
If you’re driving through dense fog on a Pacific Northwest highway, for instance, you can turn to your travel partner and say: “I think it’s time for the moody playlist now.”
Wi-Fi at hotels, motels and campsites is notoriously spotty. Often, the speed, connectivity and bandwidth are insufficient to stream movies properly.
If you’re someone who likes to unwind after a long drive with a show or movie, consider downloading them for offline viewing before you leave home. Unfamiliar with the process? Here’s the step-by-step guide for downloading Netflix shows (it’s a similar process for other streamers, too).
Games are a road trip tradition. And while gluing yourself to your phone is tempting in these modern times, consider the analog game.
Card games and board games allow you to spend time with your travel partner, and share in some mutual excitement (or frustration, depending on who’s winning!). They hearken back to a simpler era of road-tripping before phones became the de rigueur way to pass the time. Some favorite analog games include: Scrabble, Crib, Uno, Cards Against Humanity, and Dutch Blitz. (That last one has ended some friendships, as a word of warning!).
One of the best parts of road-tripping is sampling the local fare. Every region, state, city and small town has its unique specialties and institutions. Still, sorting the gems from the pile can be a challenging task.
Instead of relying on Google reviews (which can be skewed and misrepresentative), hear it from the proverbial horse’s mouth. Most regions and towns – and all cities – have a “subreddit,” a community on the social media site, Reddit, where locals share various forum topics. These are great places to solicit the community for advice, especially on food.
For instance, if you’re traveling through Ashville and looking for the best BBQ, ask the Asheville subreddit for suggestions. (Or see if the topic has been raised before). The advice you get here will be better than any aggregate review site.
Hopefully, you’ll never have to use a first-aid or emergency roadside kit. But that shouldn’t stop you from packing them.
These indispensable kits are as much about peace of mind than anything. Having them readily accessible in the trunk ensures that you’re never caught in a genuine bind on the road. First aid kits should include staples like bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, tape, and scissors. Meanwhile, roadside emergency kits should include essentials like jumper cables, flares, blankets, snacks, and a power bank to charge your phone for communication.
Splitting up the driving and resting time is critical on a long journey. If one person does the lion’s share of driving at the expense of their restfulness, no one’s going to have fun. It’s going to create tension and other issues. And it might even be dangerous.
Instead, before you leave, draft an equitable “drive and rest” schedule that splits the time between all parties involved. You don’t have to be too meticulous or fine-tuned about the process – a vague rotational schedule should do the trick. For instance, if you have three people on a road trip, you can rotate between who’s driving, who’s in the front seat keeping them company (and helping with navigation), and who gets to sprawl out in the backseat for a rest.
With these eight straightforward tips, you’re ready for the perfect road trip this spring or summer. The only decision left to make is, admittedly, a big one: Where will you go? The world is your open road.