Travel Tips: Road Trips

 

I’ve been on road trips since I was a kid. We used to drive down to Florida every winter to visit my Grandparents and we’d be gone for several weeks at a time. I am no stranger to long car rides so, when it came to deciding how to go visit a friend across the country, I chose a car over a plane. And to make it even crazier, I did it alone.

I went back and forth on the best way to cross the country by myself as a single female. The only hotels in my budget were old and run down and I wasn’t thrilled about the other people staying there knowing I was alone. If you’re alone and planning on staying in hotels, I definitely recommend spending the money on the more expensive ones with actual security. I did not have that option, however, so I turned my punch bug into a camper. This way, whether I stayed at a campground or at a truck stop, I could be safely locked inside my car and just had to jump to the front seat and drive away if I didn’t feel safe. If you have the option to sleep in your car, I highly recommend it. It opens up tons of options as far as sleeping and napping locations.

If you are sleeping in your car, know that a good sleep is your top priority when there’s a lot of driving involved. Make sure your sleeping arrangement is comfortable; don’t want to be dozing off while driving. This was a big reason I chose my car over hotels for this particular trip. I never sleep well in hotels; it’s always different and unpredictable. The bed in my car, though not the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on, was at least familiar. I knew what to expect. Plus I could stop and sleep or nap whenever I wanted since there were no reservations needed, most campgrounds always have a site available and truck stops and thruway stops always have a parking spot for a quick nap. And most Cracker Barrels allow camping as well!

Once you figure out how you’re traveling you need to focus on what to pack. First and foremost, safety. As I mentioned in the camping tips, its’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit. You can put one together yourself or buy a pretty good one at the store. I bought one at the store but added a few of my own things like arnica and my cpr mask. Arnica is amazing for bruises or sore muscles. It takes out the swelling almost instantly.

In addition to treating injuries, it’s important to have protection. For my road trip I knew I’d be traveling by myself, stopping at camp grounds and truck stops, I needed something legal that could be used as protection. In addition to a spray; I also had a keychain alarm that goes off if I pull it. Thankfully I had no reason to use either but it was good to know I had them.

Pack light. After years of packing experience I’ve learned that less is more. I hardly ever wear everything I bring and it just ends up taking up space. Since I would be driving for most of my trip I wore mostly leggings and comfy shirts which didn’t take up much space. I had a bag hidden under my seat of nicer clothes for once I reached my destination. I found that when road tripping and staying in hotels, however, it was easier to switch out clothes from a bigger bag that stayed in the car to a smaller bag of stuff I needed in the hotel. Less to lug back and forth that way.

Wear layers. Any outfit can be warmed up with a good jacket that goes with everything. Even better if it has pockets so you don’t have to carry your purse every time you go to the gas station (which will be a lot depending on how long the trip is)

Something most may not think about while on a long trip, shaving. Unless you’re in a hotel with a hot shower, shaving is never a fun process while on the road. My battery powered razor has been a lifesaver for all forms of travel. Sure, maybe it doesn’t do as good of a job as a real razor, but it does well enough when traveling.

Try to plan your trip around your normal sleep schedule. I planned my days to drive mid morning, stop somewhere for a rest in the afternoon, then drive into the night. I’m a night person so that schedule worked well for me. When my sister and I took a road trip she drove in the morning and I drove at night, since she’s a morning person and I’m a night person. You always want to be driving when you’re most awake. Bring plenty of snacks and drinks too since, not only do you need to eat and drink, it’s helpful to be munching on something to stay alert.

If traveling by yourself, have a friend or family member on standby to keep updated on your progress or if something goes wrong. It’s important to have a plan but also be aware that things might not go as planned. I also recommend signing up for AAA. All it takes is a quick phone call to get car help if you need it.

Road trips are so much fun however you take them. Alone, with friends, with family. They can be high stress but also high reward. Be prepared, have fun with it, and get out there and explore!