9 Essential Road Trip Tips for the Best Adventure Ever

You’re finally ready to get behind the wheel and hit the road. But like every outdoor adventure, you need proper planning to have a fantastic time. Here are some road trip essentials to get you started:

1.   Pre-trip prep

Check that your vehicle is in good condition at least a week before your travel date. Inspect the tires, lights, brakes, fuel, and your basic car toolkit, plus your spare tires and jumper cables. You may want to pick a destination and go in the spirit of adventure, but an itinerary helps to plan for unforeseen scenarios. Make it as detailed as possible, especially if you’re traveling with kids or pets on your road trip.

2.   Prioritize your safety

Be aware of traffic rules on your chosen roads and highways, drive defensively, and stay alert. If you’re planning a cross-country adventure road trip, take enough breaks along the way or switch drivers if you’re traveling with company. Do what you can to keep yourself and others safe on your road trip.

3.   Choose your navigation tools

Your car probably has a sat-nav system, and you can mount your smartphone on the dashboard or on your motorcycle or bike. Even with the most updated navigation tech, it’s always ideal to keep a physical map as a backup. It will come in handy if you’re venturing off the grid or lose network coverage or battery power.

4.   Figure out your accommodations

Unless you’re going on a day trip and getting back home, you’ll need somewhere to stay on your adventure road trip. This means everything from camp grounds and RV parks to hotels and motels to crashing at a friend’s or relative’s house. Plan your accommodations ahead, particularly if your road trip ideas fall during peak seasons.

5.   Road trip meals and snacks

Cover your road trip nutrition in two ways: pack delicious snacks and drinks, and look up some food joints along the route. This approach does three things:

• It keeps you hydrated and full of energy while you drive
• It allows you to enjoy roadside picnics at scenic spots
• It opens you up to local or regional cuisines that you would otherwise miss. 

6.   Plan your road trip entertainment

There’s always the classic: download a playlist of your favorite songs and blast it on your speakers as you cruise down the highway. But you can also bring podcasts, games, and books for those particularly long stretches. If possible, bring a portable Wi-Fi hotspot for your vehicle to keep your devices connected. You can stream your Spotify playlist or live-stream your adventure, too.

7.   Document the journey

Speaking of live streaming, there are lots of ways to capture your road trip adventure. Photos and videos are the go-to choices, but you can also keep a travel journal, either as a physical notebook or a note-taking app on your smartphone. Write down your experiences and reflections on the trip and share them on your social profiles. Who knows, you might inspire others to go on road trips, too.

8.   Be spontaneous

Of course, planning road trips is an important step, but so is keeping an open mind. Take an unplanned detour, speak with locals about hidden gems and attractions, and join local events like festivals or road shows should you cross their paths. These unexpected moments add much more flavor and color to your adventure road trip.

9.   Keep the fire burning

One successful road trip ultimately leads to another, and another. How do you keep the spirit of the open road alive? By sharing and reliving your experience with friends and family, keeping touch with the connections you made, and learning from each journey. Maintain this wholesome attitude, and you’ll be taking road trips every chance you get.

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