Road trips can be such a fun adventure if you do them right. Whether it’s simply a means to a destination or it’s the whole point of a trip, I’ve found there are a handful of must-haves to make the most of the road trip experience.
I’ve been preparing for a little road trip that Matt and I will be embarking on soon—except it’s not just a road trip…WE’RE MOVING! It seems like it was yesterday that I moved to San Diego, journeying from snowy Illinois in January to sunny Southern California. Now, six years later, I’m headed right back.
December marks the end of our amazing chapter in San Diego. While it’ll no-doubt be a sad transition for us (especially considering we’re going back at the start of winter), we’re both excited to see what new opportunities await us in Chicago. The move has felt surreal for awhile, but with every passing week, I think we’re both realizing our days in San Diego are numbered.
As we begin to look longingly at the ocean, visit all our favorite craft breweries, admire the towering palm trees above us, and sweat because apparently it’s “unseasonably warm” here, it’s GO TIME for road trip prep.
Everyone has their go-to items for making a long car trip comfortable and fun, but despite what’s on your list, I think most people’s can be summed up in about FIVE essentials.
1. Take People You Like
The people you’re with can make or break a road trip. Lucky for me, I really like my husband, so I anticipate a memorable journey. After our experience road tripping up the PCH for our mini-honeymoon in San Francisco, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, and you better believe I will be subjecting him to a lot of my next point…
2. Listen to Good Music
Music has this way of turning an otherwise boring road trip into a little party in the car. I highly recommend satellite radio for long trips, but I also think preparing music playlists or just streaming songs (like we plan to do) works just fine. Matt, prepare for a nice collection of love ballads, 90s music, ska, throw-back hip hop, and I guess some current randomness.
3. Bring a Variety of Snacks
Ask any of my family members, and they’ll tell you I am intense about snack preparation before any sort of trip. Banana bread and granola bars are usually my go-to (which I rarely let Matt go on solo trips without), but I also recommend bringing some fresh fruits and veggies along, since road trip food tends to consist of fast food and more fast food.
4. Visit Random Sights Along the Way
Although sitting in a car for hours upon hours can be enjoyable…it can also get really old and blah. Stretch your legs; see something new; and make some new memories by planning a few stops along your route. From must-see tourist attractions to random museums and oversized objects, do a little research (or just keep your eyes peeled as you drive). These are things that enrich road trip experiences! Pro tip: roadtrippers.com is an amazing resource.
5. Wear Comfy Clothes
Road trips aren’t a time to impress anyone, so bust out the stretchiest, comfiest clothes you own, because it’s time to be comfy AF! In addition to wearing a uniform of yoga pants and hoodies, I highly recommend bringing a small blanket and/or pillow (if you’re not driving) because I’ve found they do WONDERS for making the front seat a bit cozier.
And that sums up my list of road trip essentials.
What are your favorite items to bring on a road trip?
