Road trips have long been a classic way to explore the country. Traveling by car offers the freedom to set your own pace, choose your own route and enjoy quality time with your favorite travel companions. Of course, with traffic, unpredictable weather and the challenge of packing, it’s not always the most relaxing experience.
To help make your next journey more enjoyable, we’ve gathered a few helpful tips designed to turn your road trip into a smooth and memorable adventure. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a longer journey, this guide can help you make the most of your time on the road.
Why a Road Trip?
Road trips continue to grow in popularity among travelers looking for more flexibility and control over their vacation plans. They are often more budget friendly than other travel options and can be tailored to fit your interests and schedule.
While the goal is to relax and enjoy the journey, a little preparation goes a long way. Before you hit the road, it’s a good idea to make sure your vehicle is in great shape for the trip ahead. A smooth ride starts with a well-prepared car.
Tips Before You Go
Properly preparing for your road trip ahead of time is the best way to guarantee a relaxing ride. Here are a few tips to consider before you get on the road:
1. Get a Tune Up — Or Better Yet, Rent a Vehicle
One of the best ways to set the tone for a relaxing road trip is to take care of your vehicle before you head out. Having your car inspected and serviced at a trusted auto repair shop can help ease any concerns about unexpected issues on the road. If you prefer to avoid adding miles to your own vehicle, renting a car is another convenient option to consider.
2. Make Sure Your AAA Membership is Up to Date
With your AAA Membership, you'll have peace of mind knowing Roadside Assistance is there should you need it, no matter where you choose to go.
3. Pack an Emergency Kit
Being prepared is the key to a successful and relaxing road trip. In your road trip emergency kit, you should have:
- All of your important documents, including your driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance information.
- A map. It might seem obsolete in the age of GPS, but it never hurts to have a paper map available in the event of an emergency in which you don't have access to electronics.
- Spare cash — including change. You may unexpectedly encounter toll roads along the way.
- A gallon of water and a few empty water bottles.
- A first aid kit that includes bandages, antibiotic ointment, gauze and some basic medication.
- Jumper cables.
- Collapsible safety cones.
- Blankets.
- A shovel.
- Non-perishable snacks. Some good options include granola bars, crackers or trail mix.
- Extra chargers for your mobile devices.
- A gallon of gas.
- A spare tire and tire repair kit.
By packing your emergency kit in advance, you will be able to feel more comfortable knowing that you will have what you need in the event of an emergency during your road trip.
4. Map Out Your Itinerary
Planning out your itinerary in advance can help you avoid confusion and frustration during your road trip. As you choose the places you want to visit, research how long it will take you to get to each destination. Try to plot out where you plan to go each day and don't forget to map out places to stop for bathroom breaks, to get gas and to fuel up on food.
5. Clean Out Your Car
It doesn't matter if you are embarking on a solo adventure or you are packing up the whole family for a good, old-fashioned road trip, your car is going to get a little messy along the way. In order to reduce clutter and keep your car as clean as possible during your getaway, you will want to do a thorough cleaning in advance. Remove any trash or debris from the car, vacuum the interior and wipe down the surfaces. A fresh, clean car will feel much more inviting, especially if it is going to become your home away from home for a while.
6. Think About Entertainment Options in Advance
Adults and children can sometimes feel a little bored on road trips. In order to avoid the dreaded "Are we there yet?" you'll want to prepare some entertainment options ahead of time.
If you are traveling with a small group of adults, you don't need to bring a lot. A few simple options will do, such as:
- Books and magazines
- Tablets and smartphones
- Travel journals
For kids, you will need to get a little more creative with your entertainment options, especially if you are going to be on a longer road trip. While the digital era means that entertaining kids is easier than ever before, you also might want to think about some traditional options that keep them off the screens and allow them to engage in conversation while on the road.
Some entertainment ideas for kids on road trips include:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Sticker books
- License plate game cards
- Travel bingo
- Word play games
- Card games
- Books
- Smartphones, tablets and video game consoles
- Stuffed animals
- Small toys
Tips During Your Road Trip
Before you map out your road trip, think about destinations and activities that interest you. Do you want to visit a national park? Are you into quirky attractions? Or are you craving the ultimate unwinding experience — a luxurious spa? Once you've determined the type of place you'd like to go, you can look for an enjoyable route to take you there.
Once you have a few itineraries to consider for inspiration, it's time to use the following tips for a long road trip in order to enjoy a seamless and relaxing adventure on the highway:
7. Be Realistic About How Far You Can Drive in a Day
For a multi-destination road trip, you should limit yourself to around 5 hours of driving per day. This will help prevent you from getting too fatigued while driving and will also ensure that you don't spend all of your time stuck in the car. If you are going on a shorter trip, you may be able to drive for as long as 8 hours, but try to switch drivers if possible.
8. Switch Drivers Regularly
Switching drivers on a regular basis is essential to staying safe while driving long distances. You should try to switch drivers at least every three hours, especially if you are going on a long road trip. By taking turns behind the wheel, you will prevent becoming too tired while on the road. In addition, it can help to ease the stress and burden of being on a longer road trip.
If you cannot switch drivers, you need to take breaks frequently. Try to stop for longer periods of time in order to have meals, stretch your legs and rest your eyes.
9. Take Breaks and Stretch
Breaks are absolutely crucial to enjoying your road trip. While at times it can feel like breaks are hindering your progress, you should remember that road trips are about the journey just as much as they are about the destination. Naturally, you will be taking breaks to use the bathroom, get some food and stretch your body, but you also might want to include some unexpected stops along the way. Taking a break to see a roadside attraction — even one that seems a little bit silly or strange — can lighten the mood and lead to lasting memories.
10. Get an Early Start Whenever Possible
By getting an early start on the road, you will be beginning your journey when you feel rested and refreshed. Not to mention, the roads are usually less congested earlier in the day and you will be less likely to end up in a traffic jam. However, don't let it worry you too much if you happen to wake up a little later than expected, as one of the biggest benefits of taking a road trip is that you can set and alter your schedule as you see fit.
11. Pack Plenty of Snacks
Parents will tell you that snacks are the key to keeping little ones happy, but let's face it, even adults need snacks to refuel their bodies and improve their moods. Having snacks on hand while on the road will help you stay alert and energized. Some of the best snacks to pack include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, chips, candy or trail mix.
12. Enjoy Some Traditional Road Trip Games Together
After hours on the road, you might find that conversation runs a little dry and the music on the radio isn't as entertaining as it was at the beginning of the journey. At this point, you can help pass the time by partaking in some classic road trip games with everyone in the car. Top options often include games like:
- I Spy
- 20 Questions
- Never Have I Ever
- The License Plate Game
These games can spark some new conversations and give you something safe and fun to do while you work your way toward your destination.
13. Switch Up the Music Selections
In most cases, it's the driver who gets to pick the music, but even after a few hours, you might start getting bored with your same old playlist. To keep your drive interesting, you should switch up the music station. Choose a genre that you don't normally listen to or find a golden oldies station that beckons an era gone by.
Another option can be connecting your phone to your car's Bluetooth speaker and putting on your favorite podcast. Audiobooks are also excellent options for passing the time during a road trip — everyone in the car will quickly become absorbed with the story they are listening to.
14. Plan Your Gas and Food Stops in Advance
One of the most common mistakes that people make when planning a road trip is assuming that they will be able to easily stop for food or gas along the way. In reality, you can end up on long stretches of highway where there are no restaurants or gas stations for miles. Being hungry might make you uncomfortable, but running out of gas is an emergency situation.
You can avoid that entirely by planning out your route in advance and noting where there are gas stations and restaurants that you like along the way. With a plan in place, you will be able to drive with confidence and you will know when you can safely take a break.
15. Try to Unplug
Resist the urge to check email and post updates during your trip. It's not really an escape if you're still tethered to work or social networks. Plus, when you put the devices down, you will find that you spend a lot more time talking with the people who are in the car with you.
16. Be Flexible
During a road trip, you have to be ready to expect the unexpected. From traffic jams to flat tires to car sickness, you may find some issues that arise. By remaining flexible and agile, you will be able to work through those moments and even make a few memories along the way.
What to Bring to Make Your Road Trip More Relaxing
Now that you know where you're going, it's time to stock your vehicle with everything you'll need to make sure your road trip is relaxing and enjoyable.
- Hopefully you won't need them, but it's always a good idea to keep a first aid kit and some basic roadside emergency equipment in the trunk of your car, especially if you're traveling to a remote area.
- If you're using a navigation app, a car mount will allow you to see your phone while keeping your eyes on the road. And speaking of directions, be sure to print out or download your route so you have a backup if you're traveling through an area with no service.
- Bring a cooler filled with your favorite snacks and beverages.
- Create a playlist ahead of the trip to set the mood while you're driving or download audiobooks or podcasts to listen to as you enjoy the scenery. You can even theme your playlist based on your road trip.
- The aroma of your last fast food order does not create a spa-like driving experience. Clip an aromatherapy air freshener with a relaxing essential oil to your air vent to maximize your road trip relaxation.
- You are sure to have several devices in the car on your road trip, so don't forget to pack the chargers.
- One of the most overlooked items on any road trip packing list is garbage bags. Small, kitchen-sized garbage bags can help you keep your vehicle neat and tidy while you are on a long road trip.
- If you are the driver, you will want to pack your most comfortable pair of shoes. You don't want to get sore feet while you are driving. If you are the passenger or if you are taking a break from your driving duties, you might enjoy having slippers available so that you can feel more relaxed and comfortable while you soak up the views outside the window.
When you have your trip planned in advance and you have everything packed up ahead of time, you will feel ready and excited to hit the road. Our tips for a relaxing road trip can be applied to any itinerary, so don't be afraid to use the ideas and suggestions that are best for your next adventure!
Start Your Next Road Trip with AAA
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your road trip today. Dream up the perfect road trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.