Seven Tips To A Successful Road Trip

One of my favorite pastimes (and a cheap getaway) is a good road trip. Driving is a good stress reliever for me, especially traveling to places and lands I have never seen.

Over the years, here are seven tips I have picked up to make your road trip successful

1. Service your vehicle

You don't want to travel a long distance if your vehicle isn't in proper condition. Get your oil changed, check your tires, brakes, engine, and the rest. If you have an automobile that cannot withstand a long trip, don't fret. Carpool or rent a car. I have rented cars in the past when I was in this situation. Being stuck on the side of the road is never fun.

2. Map out your trip

GPS can make one lazy when taking a road trip. However, still make a brief itinerary of where you're going, when you're arriving, and when you're leaving. Fill in other details such as sightseeing, activities, meals, and housing. A little organization can go a long way.

3. Drive early or late.

This is typically when traffic is the lightest and you can make good time on your commute. During the day, you have all sorts of traffic, including rush hour. Avoiding that if possible can enhance your journey.

4. Pack plenty of snacks

You don't want to be stopping every hour or so for water, soda, or candy to keep you refreshed. It can be very difficult to get back on the highway during certain times. Therefore, pack some crackers, bottled water, some other beverages and even a few sandwiches. You may run into something that may deter you from eating for a while and you want to stay nourished while driving.

5. Have a good playlist

Keep some good music playing to make the trip go by faster and to keep yourself alert. This can be a few CDs, Pandora, Songsta, a playlist you compiled on your music player, or even Grooveshark. Especially if you're traveling alone, it makes a huge difference.

6. Research for good routes, speed traps, hotels , restaurants, toll roads, etc.

All of this is an extension of #2. You want to find the best and safest route possible. Search and see how heavy the traffic is, the weather conditions, or is any construction taking place. You also want to be economically sound. Therefore, when you do stop to rest, stretch and eat, find good, affordable places. Also, avoid toll roads and speed traps where possible. Law enforcement tends to target unfamiliar traffic so don't try to break any laws.

7. Have a good traveling/driving companion

This may be almost as important as your vehicle being in good condition. You have someone to shoot the breeze with, another set of eyes on the road, someone to bond with, and perhaps someone to share the driving and gas with. Truckers often do this on their trips. It's definitely a game changer.