Road trips are the perfect vacation. They’re easy, stress-free, and provide you and your loved ones with plenty of time to get to know each other. Whether you’re just getting from point A to point B or want to stop and smell the flowers at every stop along the way, road trips are the ultimate summer vacation.
Planning a road trip of your own? Make sure to plan accordingly! Road trips are a vacation you must be prepared for, otherwise you’re in for a lot of hassle. Here, we share six reasons why being prepared for your next road trip is a complete must and things to consider before you hit the road.
- You Need to Know Your Car
In preparing for your road trip, the first thing you have to do is understand the workings of your car and make sure everything is running smoothly. A regular maintenance check is a great place to start. Talk to your mechanic to make sure your car has all the necessary fluids, your tires are inflated and rotated, your alignment is correct, and more.
In addition to getting your car serviced before the trip, educate yourself on everything there is to know about how your car works. In case of an emergency, you’re going to need to know basics like how to change a tire, how to pop the hood, how to check the oil, and other necessary care.
- You Need to Have The Snacks
There’s no such thing as a great road trip without snacks! Not only will you get hungry while behind the wheel, but they’re also an efficient way to pass the time. Pack some healthy picks, like oranges, carrots and hummus, veggies, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a cooler. We love this cooler because it fits in the trunk and has three separate compartments, one of which can be kept cold. Keep your snacks accessible to avoid hangry driving!
- You Need to Know Your Route
While most smartphones have a reliable GPS, it’s important to know where you’re going before you head out. Are you going to stop along the way? If so, where? Do you know where the gas stations, hotels, and attractions are? We don’t want to sound like your grandparents, but it never hurts to have a good old fashioned map handy for any long road trip. You don’t need reception to read a map!
- You Need to Know Where to Stay
If you’re taking a long road trip that requires multiple days of driving, finding a comfortable place to stay is key. There’s nothing worse than driving all night, only to not have a place to stay and have to crash in your car. Save yourself the stress by planning ahead. That way, when you do get to your hotel destination, you can sit back, relax, and maybe even order room service!
- You Need to Create Your Playlist
Like snacks, great playlists are required for your road trip. Prepare the right way by crafting playlists that will suit all sorts of moods. Sometimes during the trip you may want to rock out, and sometimes you may want to chill. Have a variety of music handy to assure a good time. And don’t forget to download your playlists so they’re available offline! You never know when reception might drop out during a road trip, so don’t rely on your data for listening to music. To learn more about offline playlists on Spotify, check out what they have to say!
- You Need to Have the Restaurant List
Just like having snacks in the car, to properly prepare for a road trip you have to know where you’re stopping to eat! Whether you’re stopping for a quick burger at a local spot or are ready for a sit-down meal, planning out your meals will help you build a robust itinerary. Plus, it’s always fun to grab a bite to eat with your loved ones on the trip!
No matter where you go this year, add a quick (or long!) road trip to your list. They’re fun, easy, intimate, and take you to places you’ve never seen before. Just make sure your snacks, playlists, hotels, and car are prepared before you take off.
