So, you have a free weekend and want to hit the road? If yes, then it is time to plan a road trip. Believe us when we tell you that there is nothing better than an open road and experiencing unforgettable adventures with your favorite people.
However, if you don’t plan for the perfect road trip, it can also become your worst nightmare. Mostly, the success of your road trip depends on the people you are with, the places you go, and how you get to the places.
Follow the below-give tips for the best road trip experience.
Choose Your Car Wisely
First things first – you will want to choose your car wisely. Of course, you will want something spacious so you can spread out and be comfy on the long rides. For the ultimate road trip vehicles, you might want to check out the best ford bronco mods, as road trips with a Ford Bronco can go insanely well.
You get the point – you must ensure that your vehicle is perfectly suited for the kind of road trip that you plan to go for.
Assemble Your Squad
There is one thing that is even more important than your ride, which is your squad. Ideally, you will want to take your best friends on the road trip because you will be stuck in the car with them for a long time. The larger your friends group, the more time you will be spending waiting for everyone to get ready.
Here is what you would want to do: thin your squad and opt for a lean road trip team. Also, tell your friends in advance and let them know about the meet-up spot so that everyone can get there on time.
Plan the Route
The next thing that you will want to do for a perfect road trip is to plan the route, and it is essential to get everyone on the same page about the location where you are going and what you are doing once you get there.
You will also want to be absolutely clear about must-do’s and won’t do’s. Now, it is important to mention here that you will want to avoid planning too much in advance, but research all potential places that you know you want to visit so you don’t show up at the places when they are closed during particular times of the year.
You can leverage apps and check out certain websites to plan the location, ensure that it is on, and plan the route so you know where the cool places are to stop and take breaks. More importantly, you will want to go slower than you think.
The worst you can do is to try to do too much in too little time because this can make things hectic and ruin the experience.
Make Potential Final Preparations
Before you embark on the road trip, you will want to get your car tuned, fill the tires with air, and make sure you have the following:
- A spare tire
- Car registration and insurance
- A real road map
- Google Maps
- A SIM card
- Spare change for toll roads
- A sleeping bag
- Essential for rough camping
- Trash bags
- Duct tape
- A multi-port charger
- Air freshener
- A first-aid kit
- A laundry bag
- A good camera
- Plenty of snacks
- Refillable water bottles
- A spare car key
- Water jug
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
In case you are driving a super old car, which you shouldn’t; however, if you do, you will want to bring a fire extinguisher. Once you have double-checked that you have everything you need, you will want to fuel up the car and hit the road. Once you have started moving, you will want to keep a positive attitude.
Prepare for Lodging
If you have a camper van, then you have nothing to worry about. If not – you have a few options to choose from, such as camping under the stars and using couch surfing for an amazing yet free local experience.
There is absolutely no need to book every night in advance. You can make the most of useful apps, such as Instant Book on Airbnb, and pick up rooms on the fly. For food and snacks, you can get yourself a small collapsible cooler and fill it with food. You don’t need to cook.
Prepare a Kitty Fund
Also, you will want to avoid stressing about money by creating a kitty fund and having all your friends throw some money in the jar. This collected money will then be used for all your road trip essentials. You can also use apps to keep track of how much everyone spent and then you can divide the bill afterwards.
To make the most of your road trip, you will want to maintain a balance between being spontaneous and being practical. You should know when it is time to get out of the car and enjoy nature and when it is time to drive.