4 Road Trip Tips

How many times have you planned to travel to a friend or family member in a different state and realized that you forgot your toothpaste, socks or worse yet, underwear. It happens to all of us at one time or another. The last thing you want to be doing on a road trip is stopping here and there to pick up basic essentials. Besides the inconvenience, it can be dog gone expensive. That $2 toothpaste can now cost you twice as much at a convenience store. Now what about the things that you never even thought about bringing and buy on the road just because it's something you've always done. Imagine how much you could be saving by bringing convenience items you instead.

Okay, so you know you will be on a long stretch and you stop at the gas station again and again and while you are there you also pick up a snack and unload your bladder to carry you through until you are ready to eat dinner but at what cost? Now add several drinks and gum, if a gum chewer, and multiply that by how ever many times you do that to and from your destination. The costs can really start to add up if you think about it. Some of the essentials to pack should be water or whatever drinks you like and keep them in an ice cooler to keep them cool. Driving for hours can be tiring, bring gum or candy to stay awake.

I don't know about you but I do not have a good sense of direction and especially at night. Usually, during the daylight hours, I use the sun to guide me with which direction I am going. The sun rises on the west and sets on the east. Not even my 6th sense can help me at night though and without help from the sun, I might as well be senseless. When traveling don't forget to bring your GPS if you have one. Most cell phones these days have the capability and it is worth downloading the application for the minimal monthly fee to avoid the frustration of getting lost. You can always get rid of the app after you are back from your road trip so that you don't incur additional monthly fees. Better yet, if you are a planner, use mapquest.com to get directions to your destination ahead of time and text them to your cell. If you have a Smartphone, you can even do it from your phone but it is not recommended it that you do while driving of course.

Whether on a short road trip or a long one, make sure someone knows where you are headed and when you plan on arriving at your destination. You never know what can happen between point A and B. Maybe a flat tire or broken down somewhere in the desert or the snow. Don't be the star of the next made for T.V. movie. Check in with your point of contact periodically so that if something did happen while on the road you can get help sooner.

Alright, no one wants to think about the worse that can happen on a road trip but there is nothing wrong with preparation. One should always carry a flashlight, first aid items, matches, flares, simple tool kit, and water. These things may not protect you from a natural disaster or car wreck but they can make a bleak situation a lot more hopeful. Happy traveling!