I wanted to change up my blog format this week. Instead of focusing on a location, I want to go over how to get there. One of my favorite ways to get to where I need to go is by car. Yes, it takes longer, but I love (almost) every second of it!! So without further ado, here are my top 8 tips, in no particular order, on surviving a road trip.
#1 Don’t drive too long in one day
Each driver should max out at 5-6 hours a day. I would not suggest doing the full 5 hours in one stretch though. Driving in my own road trips we have a general rule of thumb: driver keeps going until we reach ¼ tank of gas or they get tired. I always keep my gas tank above ¼, especially on roadtrips. Obviously, the mileage it takes to get to 1/4tank will vary from car to car but on my past trips a driver will go between 250 and 300 miles before switching out. Make sure that you are switching out with another driver or pulling off to rest if you feel fatigued. Take time to explore around rest areas too, they can be really pretty. Some rest areas in the mountains of Colorado have short hiking trails so that you can get your legs going for a little bit.
#2 Try not to drive on less than 1/4 tank of gas
You never know what is going to happen and the last thing you need to worry about is running out of gas. Try to plan your gas stops to be about ¾ of the way into the gas tank. TO figure out how far this is you take your car’s fuel tank capacity and multiply it by 0.75. Then, you take that number and multiply it by your average gas mileage per gallon. For those of you that are equation minded: (FTC*.75)*MPG= about how far you can go on ¾ of a tank of gas.
#3 Use Gasbuddy to save money on gas
Speaking of planning gas stops… You can use GasBuddy to look for the cheapest gas prices near you or near where you want to stop. Gas is one of the most expensive aspects of a road trip. The more money you can save on gas, the more money you have for souvenirs and fun activities!
#4 Download and print your directions
You will lose service at some point in your trip and you do not want it to be when you need directions. They may seem like super simple directions but you don’t want to risk anything. This will also allow you to mark your gas stops! You might want to keep an atlas or something similar in the car too, just in case something happens. Vikki gives you a lis
t ofroad trip essentials on her blog “MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld” if you’re interested in more things you might want to pack.
#5 You don’t need as many snacks as you think
It is super tempting to load up on snacks *just in case* you start craving something while you’re in the middle of Nebraska. I promise you don’t need as many snacks as you think you do. Michelle offers some healthy snack suggestions on her blog “Momables”. I highly suggest looking through the list she gives and packing a few items. Non-perishable food is the best route to go because coolers and ice can get frustrating to deal with.
#6 WATER! It’ll become your new best friend
Seriously, make sure that you have some form of way to get clean water. Whether its pre-bottled water or a filter straw, having water accessible is important. Being hydrated, particularly when hiking or driving is vital.
#7 McDonalds always have free wifi and relatively clean bathrooms
Not only are they generally clean, but McDonalds locations are everywhere! If you need to stop and recalibrate your directions, find the cheapest gas nearby, or just stop for a cold soda, McDonald’s locations are reliable sources.
#8 Make a downloadable music playlist or CDs
Again, you will lose service! Music just makes the time in the car much more enjoyable and noone wants to channel surf on the radio in new places. By making a downloadable playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, your time on the road will pass by much more quickly.
Hopefully, if you use these 8 pieces of advice you have a stress free trip! Do you have any other words of advice for fellow travelers?
