A road trip is one of the best ways to see your country for a low cost and a memorable time. Take these steps when planning and executing, and it will be a trip you will never forget.
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Always Travel Prepared
Make sure you have a car that will work for a road trip. A car that has good gas mileage can save you a lot of money when driving across the country especially. If you are starting on the East Coast, check out some VW dealerships in New Jersey. There are tons of used car dealerships and new car dealerships if you are in the market for a new car. Right before the road trip is a good time to think about possibly purchasing! If no one going on the trip has a suitable car, a rental car is another option. Look at the laws before renting and find a rental place with a car that would be suitable for your road trip.
When preparing for a road trip, bring clothes for any weather. Bring tennis shoes for hiking, a raincoat, a light jacket, exercise clothes, pajamas, and tons of clean socks! Make sure to pack laundry detergent in case you get the chance to do laundry.
When traveling, also make sure you have somewhat of a first-aid kit handy in the car. It always comes in handy and saves you from having to drop money on expensive first-aid utensils in times where something actually does go wrong.
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Make a Travel Plan
Don’t forget the golden rule of road trips: plan, don’t complicate. Make a list of the places you would like to go on your road trip. This can be overwhelming considering the options! You can explore Henry County, Georgia in the South or head to the Midwest and explore Kansas City, Missouri or St. Louis, Missouri. There are so many hidden gems in the states to stop through on your road trip. For the best road trip, make sure you take advantage of all the little stops along the way, which can best be done when there is a travel plan in action!
A great way to start is by making a list of national parks that you want to experience and investing in a national park pass, which could save a lot of money. Then a way to choose your driving path is by connecting the dots between the national parks! Depending on your intended sleeping arrangements, bring tents in case there aren’t hotels. This is also a great way to make your trip more memorable and save money. Nothing says “bonding” quite like sharing a tent with your road trip partners-in-crime.
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Be Ready for Roadblocks — Literal and Metaphorical
It is 2018: look up possible rerouting that you might have to do. It is a lot easier to plan beforehand than to get to a major roadway and find that it is closed for construction and the only way to go around will take three hours.
It is also important to plan for car issues that could arise. Make sure someone you are riding with has AAA. AAA is a godsend in car/towing situations because it doesn’t matter who is driving; as long as someone in the car has AAA, you can get towed or receive roadside assistance.
For your next road trip, take these tips for a seamless drive and a great time. There are many hidden gems in the U.S. and with the right group, car, travel plan and execution, you will be able to go on the best road trip of your life.