Surviving a Road Trip
I recently completed a road trip all the way from the great state of Arizona to New Orleans and back. I sort of consider myself an expert now – that much time spent in a cramped little car along the I-10 changes a man.
If you have a lengthy road trip coming up, here are a few tips to help you survive and (hopefully) remain friends with your fellow passengers once the journey is over. Buckle up!
Rent a Car
Putting hundreds of miles on your car’s engine is inadvisable, just don’t do it. For my most recent trek we rented a car through Alamo, something way cheaper than slogging your beat up ‘98 Nissan Pathfinder across America.
Renting a car has a lot of perks beyond price – when your buddy starts getting carsick in the backseat, those aren’t your new leather seats at the mercy of projectile vomit. Pro tip: always make sure to include the optional insurance on your temporary chariot – you never know what could happen in uncharted territory.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Phone
Allow me to play the parental figure for a moment – just because you’re driving in the black hole that is west Texas, don’t use your phone as you drive. It’s a lot more tempting when you’re driving late at night with nobody on the roads but this is when many highway accidents occur. No Snapchat is worth that.
Besides, you’re passed out friends in the back are counting on you! If you really must text, elect your most reliable friend to ride shotgun and act as your personal DJ/secretary. Just save the lovey dovey texts to your girlfriend for the next rest area – nobody wants to be an accomplice to that.
Podcasts Are Your Best Friend
One of my favorite things to do on grueling road trips is to take in a podcast or two … or three, four – depends how many hours I’m driving!
Even the best music playlists will only keep you so stimulated as you drive through the middle of nowhere. Podcasts are great because they’re like having an incredibly engaging conversation well after the talking points have run dry on your road trip. They’re all the more critical if I’m driving alone.
Some of my favorites include This American Life, The Nerdist, WTF with Marc Maron and The BS Report. No matter what you’re into – crafting, history, basketball – there’s a podcast for everyone.
Set a Limit on Terrible Food
The nutritional value of food is often the first thing to go by the wayside when it comes to road trips. Your body can’t be sustained by a McDonald’s double cheeseburger every 300 miles.
Plan ahead and bring some healthy stuff on the road. Good options include turkey jerky, nuts & fruit, and tons of water. The occasional McDonald’s pit stop is totally fine now and then, just don’t slip into a cheeseburger coma.
