Now that we went on our road trip, I think we should feel more prepared for next time. Here's what I learned doing this drive to help to get myself and you ready for the next road trip:
1. Always try to bring a friend if possible
This was a solo trip across the US, and, while it was for a job, it was still a trip. There are numerous benefits to taking a solo trip, and I have done several of them, but this one was not one I would personally suggest doing solo. Going from city to city while looking at the scenery is definitely interesting, it's cool to see the changes over time across this huge country. But... there's a lot of time that it is the same in between. Many hours of a cross-country road trip are just going to be spent looking out the window, so it's more fun to be able to chat with someone during that time. Plus, with someone else, you don't need to drive as much! Doing 12 hours a day of driving solo was pretty intense, I'm not really sure how I did it. For your own sanity, if you need to do a trip like this, I would just get a friend to come out and then pay for their flight back, it's worth it.
2. Take detours
I did end up making it to Mount Rushmore! I wasn't expecting it to be as cool as it was, seeing as it's just a bunch of dead presidents, but it actually rocks! It did take an hour each way to get there and back from my trip, but it was definitely worth it. I actually planned out beforehand some sights I wanted to see along my drive, which I would assume you would do as well, but even if something seems like it's kind of far from the "route" you're taking, if it's something you really want to see, you should go for it! There's a lot to see in the world, who knows when you'll be back.
3. Take surprise detours as well
They don't need to be as childish as mine was, but I did not plan on stopping in Butte, Montana maybe ever and, besides taking a funny and obvious picture, the town itself was cool! There was a really good breakfast place I went to there and the Buttians were a very nice people. It's not worth it to be so rigid with your planning that you can't make stops for things that pique your interest. That's really the point and beauty of a road trip, you're in a car so you can go wherever you want! Just don't make an ass out of yourself.
4. Don't book hotels beforehand
This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the previous idea, but between surprise detours, surprise traffic, and surprise bathroom breaks, you don't know how far you realistically will be able to get in a day. There are plenty of websites that you can book last-minute hotel deals on, and many of those will even have a pool (the hotels not the websites). You don't want to be stuck needing to drive much further than you would like or be hamstrung by needing to stop earlier than you would have liked by booking an ill-placed hotel. Better to say que sera sera and see how far the road takes you.
5. Try local cuisine
As tempting as it might be to just go to fast food chains as even the highways are advertising them to you, what's the point of going somewhere without trying what kind of food they eat there? If you can get the exact same thing at home, why are you even on this trip, man? It's better to try out local places and see how people live where you are. And I'm not saying you need to eat out at a fancy or sit-down place for every meal. There are a ton of road side stands, local fast-food places, diners, food trucks, people's houses, etc. (Don't actually do that last one unless you know them) It's more fun and a more cultural experience this way.
6. Have a destination
This was easier for me, because I had to be somewhere specific for a job, but you should pick somewhere too! It's a lot more satisfying after a long drive to get to your destination and be able to be like "Wow, I can't believe I made it!" It's a great thing to say, even if it is cliche. It could be anything: a big rock like in my picture, a city, the coast, the border if you don't have a passport, anything! It gives your trip a sense of direction and a halfway point to aim for if your trip isn't just a one way thing.
And that's it, nothing else to do to prepare for a road trip! Just kidding, but road trips are a lot of fun if you do some (but not all) preparation beforehand. Good luck on your road trip and remember to go in the sauna after a long day on the road, you won't regret it!
Comments