The spontaneity and excitement of a road trip is unparalleled by any other. And with the vacation time round the corner, a few weeks of fun on the open, wide roads, can be an experience of a lifetime. Having said that, road trips can be a nightmare if not properly planned. You obviously do not want to be lost in some god forsaken place, in freezing temperatures, eating refried beans and cheese burritos. So, for all those who want to make their trip a fulfilling and fun experience, make a checklist for the road trip. This should include a checking of your vehicle, preparing for emergencies, stocking in on your entertainment needs and getting your navigational tools in place. Oh, and I forgot the most important part of the road trip planning process, i.e stocking up the food and the drinks for the trip. I know this may go against the spirit of a spontaneous road trip, but believe me it will save you lots of hassles on the road, not to mention a significant amount of money. One of the most important part of road trip preparation, is to determine what to bring on a road trip. The obvious thumb rule when packing for a road trip, is that 'less is more'. So instead of stockpiling a whole lot of things into your car, make a checklist of what you need on the trip. Making a checklist is the best travel tip possible, as it ensures that nothing is forgotten in a last minute hurry.
Things to Bring on a Road Trip
Luggage Sets: Select the smallest duffel bag or a backpack that you can find, and try to fit in the stuff that you need for the journey, into it. Leave behind the big suitcases, as there are very few things less pleasant than having to haul a giant suitcase around, when traveling. For a long journey pack your clean clothes into small plastic bags and throw in a large laundry bag, for the soon to be dirty clothes. Also make sure to pack a pair of comfortable sandals and a good pair of hiking shoes for the journey.
Music: What is a good road trip without great music so whether you are in a car, van, or an RV, stock up the CDs for a long journey. However sometimes the ready-made playlists and albums can get quite boring. A great idea is to use an iPod and just borrow songs from the people you visit. Please do not count on the radio, unless you want to be stuck with bad twangy pop and Christian radio.
Camera: This is a must have for all those people, who are not quite so eloquent with words. Describing the fun you had on your great adventure journey can be easy, if you have loads of pictures. Well, you do not have to be a pro to get the right shots. With a simple point and shoot digital camera, you can show them to your grandchildren, when you are really old.
A GPS Navigation System: Say goodbye to your travel maps. GPS navigation systems with built in maps, are an ideal way of making the chances of your getting lost from slim to nil. It not only shows you where you are on the map but also provides real-time updates of your location. In addition, they offer automatic route-planning and turn-by-turn directions, making it virtually impossible to get lost.
Things to Bring on a Road Trip
Luggage Sets: Select the smallest duffel bag or a backpack that you can find, and try to fit in the stuff that you need for the journey, into it. Leave behind the big suitcases, as there are very few things less pleasant than having to haul a giant suitcase around, when traveling. For a long journey pack your clean clothes into small plastic bags and throw in a large laundry bag, for the soon to be dirty clothes. Also make sure to pack a pair of comfortable sandals and a good pair of hiking shoes for the journey.
Music: What is a good road trip without great music so whether you are in a car, van, or an RV, stock up the CDs for a long journey. However sometimes the ready-made playlists and albums can get quite boring. A great idea is to use an iPod and just borrow songs from the people you visit. Please do not count on the radio, unless you want to be stuck with bad twangy pop and Christian radio.
Camera: This is a must have for all those people, who are not quite so eloquent with words. Describing the fun you had on your great adventure journey can be easy, if you have loads of pictures. Well, you do not have to be a pro to get the right shots. With a simple point and shoot digital camera, you can show them to your grandchildren, when you are really old.
A GPS Navigation System: Say goodbye to your travel maps. GPS navigation systems with built in maps, are an ideal way of making the chances of your getting lost from slim to nil. It not only shows you where you are on the map but also provides real-time updates of your location. In addition, they offer automatic route-planning and turn-by-turn directions, making it virtually impossible to get lost.