It’s summer and that means vacation! With the soaring prices on flights, you might be feeling the staycation. However, few things are more fun than a well-planned road trip. So grab a map, pack up the car, and head out on the adventure of a lifetime! Here are three tips for a successful road trip.
Plan Your Route
What sets a road trip apart is your ability to stop along the way. Just like life, a road trip isn’t a destination but a journey! Getting there truly is half the fun. Instead of plugging your destination into a navigation app and taking the fastest route, pull out a map or grab an app and plot out your stops along the way. If these take you down obscure highways and one-lane roads, all the better! You will get to truly see the landscape, rather than whizzing by on the highway at 70 miles per hour. The road less traveled really can make all the difference.
Make Stops
Don’t get stuck in the rut of only going to the places where everyone else goes. Part of the fun is discovering lesser-known treasures along your path. For example, a Route 66 road trip allows you to explore 34 iconic destinations across the United States. Also called the “Mother Road,” Route 66 connects Chicago to LA. Some of the most impressive destinations you can find along the way include Mural City in Pontiac, Illinois; the Chain of Rocks Bridge, which crosses the great Mississippi; The World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Cuba, Missouri; the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma; and the Cadillac Ranch, located in Amarillo, Texas.
It’s All About the Snacks - And Games
No road trip is complete without filling up the car with everyone’s favorite snacks. Remember when your Mom loaded the station wagon with orange soda and blankets and everyone just piled in? While seat belts are a must these days, you can bring back the nostalgia of yesteryear by filling the icebox with your favorite sodas and treats and traveling in comfort! And during those long stretches of highway, take some breaks from technology by playing road games. Some good classics include I Spy, 20 Questions, The Alphabet Game, and the License Plate Game.
Summer is the perfect time for a road trip! Make the most of yours by mapping your route, including fun stops, loading up the car with snacks, and playing games with your fellow travelers. Have fun and drive safely!
Check out these tips for driving with your dog in the car!