Going on a Road Trip is a great way to see some of the world and gain some new perspective on life. But when you go on your trip, you need to pack the right things. If you don’t pack the following, you are going to regret it sooner instead of later. Road trips can be made or ruined by the types of things you bring or forget to bring.
A Good Map
The open road is a fun place — but only when you know where you’re going. Technology is very useful for navigating, but technology can sometime fail us and leave us stranded in the middle of nowhere. You must have back-up. If you don’t, a fun road trip can quickly become confusing and either stressful or boring as you wind around roads that all look the same. If your phone doesn’t have signal if you are a secluded part of the country, this could lead to a horror story of a trip.
Road Food and Drinks
When you get hungry or thirsty, it messes with your mind. On the road, this is definitely not a good thing. This isn’t even counting how there may be many miles between places where you can restock. When all you can see is the open road and your stomach is grumbling or your mouth is dry, you will quickly begin to experience a level of annoyance you never expected. So do yourself and whomever you’re traveling with a favor and bring plenty of hydration and munchies.
A Fun Playlist
Some people love to drive in silence. Those people are insane, and will quite literally drive everyone else insane with them. Good road tunes are energetic, have a strong beat and lyrics you can sing along to. The genre you pick is as individual as you are. With modern personal listening devices, passengers and drivers can usually coexist peacefully even if their tastes vary wildly. There is always songs that unite people on a trip with a huge sing along, these happen mostly when people are feeling exhausted and goofy.Â
Comfortable Clothing and Bedding
There are few things worse than being confined while you’re sitting for hours on end. The open road is no place to be overly fashionable — you can look good without having to cram yourself into your tightest pants and stiffest shirts. Also, you may find that having a sweater, jacket or blanket can help you warm up if your fellow travelers like it cooler than you do — particularly the driver if too much warmth puts them in danger of nodding off.
A Watchful Eye
It’s always a good idea to be careful and aware of your surroundings, but this is doubly important on a trip. You most likely have no contacts, are in an unfamiliar area and are cut off from most of your resources. So you need to be extra careful of potential injury and people who may pose a threat to you. When you get to a hotel room, check for bedbugs before you put your bags anywhere but the tub or bathroom floor. If you’re full protected, check out US auto insurance rates and policies to ensure that your trip is worry free.Â
Workout Gear
Bad circulation from sitting down too long can be very bad for you. A jump rope, frisbee or some other gear can be perfect for unwinding a bit during a rest stop. Physical activity can help you calm down, focus and get your blood circulating again.Â
Road trips are a great part of life, particularly in the summer time. Just make sure you pack the right things. This will also save you money because many times gas stations and rest areas tend to have higher prices than a regular store in your town.
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