Road Trip Planning

Proper road trip planning can mean the difference between an adventure you'll always remember and one you'd rather forget! Keep these tips in mind to ensure a smooth and satisfying road trip.

Road Trip Planning: Sunday Drive or Cross-Country Voyage?

Effective road trip planning varies depending on how long a trip you'll be taking. A weekend getaway requires less preparation than a two week exploration of the Southwest. The longer the trip, the more important lodging preparations become. If you're planning to camp or stay in hotels along the way, make sure you arrange for reservations ahead of time. You'll save money, but more importantly you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a place to rest your head after a long day's drive.

Supplies

We've all heard "It's the journey, not the destination," and nowhere is this saying more appropriate than when talking about road trips. Here are some absolute essentials you will want to bring along on your journey, no matter how long it is.

Music

Music is the key to a fantastic road trip. Driving down a lazy two-lane country road is great, but driving down the same road listening to Van Morrison sing "Tupelo Honey" is even better! Luckily, in the 21st Century there are plenty of options to bring your music along.

• CD's and Cassettes – Variety is what's important here. Mixing the right music with the right time and place of a road trip is like mixing the right wines with the right meal. Early morning driving might invite acoustic, delicate music while darker and more introspective songs might better compliment late night driving when the moon is full. Whatever your tastes are, make sure you bring along enough variety to set the right mood.
• MP3 Players – Arguably the greatest road trip invention since the all-night diner, MP3 players are convenient, ultra-portable and make having enough music on hand a breeze. Many newer cars come with MP3 jacks pre-installed, but if you have an older car, look into purchasing a cassette deck adapter at an electronics store. You'll also want to invest in a battery charger that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter so you don't run out of juice along the way.
• Satellite Radio- Another new invention that has revolutionized the road trip is satellite radio. Satellite radio provides over 100 channels of music of every genre, as well as news, sports, comedy, and entertainment, and because the signal comes from a satellite, you can listen to the same station all the way from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. Currently the two providers of satellite radio are Sirius and XM. You need to purchase a satellite radio receiver and a subscription to take advantage of this service, although many new cars are starting to offer satellite radio as a factory installed option.

Food

Sitting for hours at a time gazing out the window at the changing scenery might sound easy, but you can work up quite an appetite on a road trip. Keeping hunger at bay is an important part of a comfortable, enjoyable road trip.

• Snacks – The munchies can strike at any time! Food marts at gas stations can solve some basic snack needs, but the selection can quickly get repetitive and expensive. Stopping at a grocery town on your way out of town can solve this problem. Filling a bag with fresh fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, crackers, popcorn, pretzels, gum, and candy can save you money and time by not having to stop every time the urge to nosh strikes.

• Meals – Let's face it – once you're out on the open road, the dining options dwindle. Fast food and all-night diners are readily available, but depending on how long your trip is, they can begin to take their toll on your taste buds and your health. If you have any dietary restrictions, this becomes an even bigger problem. Consider bringing along a small cooler filled with cheese, sandwich meats, bread, salads, and drinks to help ease the culinary monotony.

Guides

Getting lost can sometimes be exciting, but more often than not it's a nuisance that can turn scary. Make sure you take steps to know where you are and where you're going.

• Maps – Invest in a good travel map. If you're traveling in a specific state or county, get a detailed map of that area. You might never need it, but when you do, a map can be a real lifesaver.

• GPS – Even better than a map is a GPS system with street navigation. With satellites (and magic), a GPS system can take you from where you are to where you need to be turn by turn. After you see a GPS in action, you will wonder how you ever lived without one.

Miscellaneous

• Camera – When you finally arrive at The World's Largest Rubber Band Ball you'll definitely want to document the moment!

• Travel Journal – Sometimes the best moments of a road trip are the funny little moments that fade away over time. Documenting them in a travel journal ensures that when you're looking back at your adventure years from now, you'll have access to all the important memories.

• A Good Book – Bring along a great road trip novel, like Jack Kerouac's On The Road or even Mark Twain's river road trip classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to get you in the mood.

Keys to Road Trip Planning

Before you head off on your trip, make sure you're ready for the road ahead. Make your lodging preparations early on, and make sure your body and soul are well stocked with delicious snacks and great music. Have a map or GPS so you know where you're heading, and don't forget your AAA card just in case.

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