A bucket list item for many, a cross-country road trip is an exciting way to view everything that your country has to offer. Getting in a car with friends or family (or both!) and traveling through parts of the country you have never seen before is certainly an enticing idea. While road trips may seem simple enough, there is much you need to do to prepare for the commitment that is a cross-country road trip. Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your road trip experience.
Inspect Your Vehicle Before You Go
What is arguably the most important part of your trip? The food along the journey? The music selection of the person controlling the aux cord? Inspecting your vehicle prior to your cross country journey is the most important part of any pre road trip planning you might do. The last thing you want to see when you’re driving down the highway at 2am is the check engine light. Before leaving for your trip, bring your car into the shop and have them check for any issues your vehicle may have. Fluid levels, brakes, tires, anything that might give you a vehicle-related headache during your trip, you should have a mechanic inspect. Make sure to clean your car too. Being the area you are going to spend the majority of your time in during your trip, it should be nice, clean, and comfy for your journey.
Have A Plan
This tip, while it may seem obvious on the surface, can take you in many different directions. During your trip, you may experience delays or unexpected detours that will derail your original intentions. You should be prepared to make any changes to your intended plans. Make sure to have a backup plan during your journey in case your “plan A” needs an adjustment. Plan your route and any potential stops that you might need to take along the way. Search for places to stay in towns and cities you pass during your journey. Youmay even come across some Banff homes for sale and want to stick around permanently!
Of course, try not to over plan your journey, either. Putting too much on your plate can detract from the overall road trip experience. Sometimes you may need to “go with the flow”, and make some unforeseen adjustments to your plans.
Download Music and Entertainment Onto Your Phone
The radio ain’t what it used to be. Downloading music, podcasts, or even movies onto your phone is an especially important tip for those who get bored easily. Half the fun of planning for a road trip is making a playlist you and anyone coming along on your journey can add music to, Many music apps such as Spotify offer the ability to create shared playlists. This tip is especially important for when traveling across places of the country that might not have the best cell service. Downloading your music and other types of entertainment will ensure that you can continue to play your favorite music, even when there is no cell service.