Growing up, almost every Spring Break my folks would plan a road trip. We drove everywhere, all throughout California, Arizona, Washington, Canada…and we loved it! I definitely was never the kid that asked “are we there yet?” because I was so enthralled with the journey, every moment was an experience in of itself. From the tiny towns we’d stop in for lunch, to the funky middle of nowhere rest areas, cherished memories were made. As I grew older and more independent in my travel planning, road trips always had a soft spot in my heart and I continued to plan at least one road trip a year with my family. Today, I’m sharing with you tips for the ultimate road trip, to make sure you have the best time ever!
Road trip to Nashville.
Tip #1 – BRING A REAL MAP
Always pack a road atlas, even with GPS either on your smartphone or in your car, having a paper map is good insurance against getting lost. Even recently, on a trip to Eastern Oregon, we broke out the map once we realized our phones and car couldn’t pick up a signal. And, bonus, if you’re traveling with littles, they will get a huge kick out of tracking your progress on a map! Below are a few of my favorite road trip maps!
Tip #2 – KEEP FREE SPACE IN THE CAR
If you’re anything like us, one of the best parts about a road trip is all the art, wine and random dry goods we end up purchasing along the way. Last summer found us cruising home with an inflatable paddle board, random, but I was happy we had the extra room to bring it home! I usually save space by using a collapsible trunk organizer. It’s a great way to reserve space, and then also keep items you purchase along the way from rolling all over the car!
Tip #3 – ALLOW FOR SPONTANEITY
Don’t overly structure your road trip and keep in mind that the best parts of your trip will be the spontaneous moments! That’s why, as you book you’re nightly lodging in advance, underestimate your daily mileage to allow for the off-highway quests for “the best taco truck in Corning, California” (my sisters favorite roadside stop) or the unscheduled stops at roadside attractions like our discovery of Lucero Olive Oil Company (best olive oil EVER).
Tip #4 – PACK LOTS OF SNACKS
If you know me well, you know I’m the BIGGEST snacker of all time. I literally live for snacks on snacks, so this car-snack thing is my specialty. Whether you’re traveling with kids or not, your road trip should include lots of accessible, good-for-you snacks. We have a Yeti cooler (best investment!) that I stuff to the brim with yummy snacks such a cut fresh veggies and hummus, vegetable juices, almonds, grapes, apples, mandarins, and even high quality cheeses and meats. We carry a few forks and knives as well as a travel cutting board and napkins, so we can always stop, stretch our legs and eat whenever we need. Of course, there is also the bag of bite size chocolate, lolipops and wheat thins that also come along, but we try to minimize the junk so our mood will stay brighter! I also pack my handy Stanley Thermos with coffee on the road, I love this thermos not only because it’s amazing at keeping my beverages hot, but it also is so nostalgic!
Tip #5 – CHOOSE HOTELS WITH BREAKFAST, OR AN ON-SITE RESTAURANT
While road tripping to your destination, save precious time in the morning by making sure whatever hotel you stay at offers breakfast or has an on-site restaurant. This way, you’ll be able to get up and get going, allowing for more freedom and time along your travels. This also eliminates the Yelp search and decision making for “the best breakfast” while you’re starved. Check out this post on how to choose the best hotel!
Tip #6 – MEET THE LOCALS
By far my favorite part of travel is getting to know the locals. Not only are they proud to tell you all about their city, but they are usually better informed than Yelp or TripAdvisor. I’ve always had positive experiences whenever I asked for a local’s insight. Looking for the best place to have dinner? A local will give you the top five best spots and probably even go as far as to tell you EXACTLY what to order off the menu. Without the advice of Palm Springs local Diane, we would’ve never known about underground supper club where we experienced one of the best, most adventurous meals of our lives and came away with friends for life.
Serious about your next road trip? Check out this blog post on how to plan the perfect road trip!
Happy Travels!
XO,
M
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