How to Prepare for (+ Go on) a Road Trip

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If you’ve been keeping up with my travels lately, you know I am a big fan of road trips. However, I understand that road trips can be overwhelming for some and even a bit nerve-wracking for those of you who have never gone on one. I get it; they can be long, you’re sitting in an uncomfortable position, and the scenery you drive through may not always be exciting or beautiful. So, I’ve gathered a few of my tips and tricks to make this a little easier for the newbie.

How to Plan (+ Go on) a Road Trip:

Always allocate an extra hour in driving time. This accounts for bathroom breaks, Starbucks runs, and filling up the car with gas. You think it wouldn’t take this much time, but it always does. I’m not entirely sure why I can’t make a stop in less than twenty minutes, but those gas stations really suck your time like you wouldn’t believe.

Don’t go alone. Not only is it nice to have some company, but you can break up any drive between two people, even better if there are three or four. If you want you can also choose to caravan it. If you’re going with a lot of people, more than fit in a single car, take multiple cars and drive together. This helps avoid the feeling that you’re traveling alone and can really prove to be helpful in the case of an emergency.

Bring things to keep you entertained. Make a mix tape or buy a book on tape. (Yes, my car does not have an aux cord, so I’m a bit old fashioned.) If you’re not driving, bring a book or download a few shows to watch on Netflix (these tips work really well if you have kids in the car too!).

Pack light. You don’t want to be lugging around more than one bag and maybe an additional backpack. I usually pack a gym-bag sized duffel and then keep a backpack next to me in the car for all my easy-access items like Advil, water, and snacks.

Bring snacks and more water than you think you need. When I go on road trips now, I never bring less than two large bottles of water and prefer to bring a little extra. If you get tired, snacks can also help keep you awake. My boyfriend likes sunflower seeds and I love granola bars when I travel. Sometimes that little boost of energy is all you need.

Starbucks is a must. I’m not saying that because I’m a coffee-junkee (I am, but that’s beside the point), I’m saying it because Starbucks was practically made for roadtrippers. They have clean bathrooms, wifi, food, and snacks. Plus, Starbucks has really been upping their food game for all you one-stop-shoppers out there. One of the newest products at Starbucks are Creminelli Fine Meats™ Snack Trays complete with fresh Italian meats and cheeses. I tried the Felino & Manchego Sliced Charcuterie. Each slice is hand packed into recyclable trays that are convenient for a quick snack on a road trip. You can even order these on the Starbucks app if you want to just dash in and pick it up in store. Some Starbucks stores even have a “power lunch program” and you can get the Creminelli tray as part of the lunch deal, however this isn’t available in all stores. Personally, I found that the little pack of extra protein really helped me get through my long road trips, especially in between lunch and dinner stops. Stop on the way out of town and pick up coffee and a snack and stop mid-trip to get another round of caffeine and tasty snack trays!

Although I may have slightly mastered road trips, they don’t necessarily get a lot easier. These tips do help me get through and I hope they help you too! Now, go make a killer mixtape and stop at Starbs on the way out of town! Let me know where you’re planning on going in the comments below!