6 Things You Need to Know Before Your Cross-Country Road Trip
The very thought of road trips sends chills down your spine and makes butterflies flutter in your stomach. There is no experience that will match road-tripping no matter if you are taking the road across the country and a couple of national parks, or you have a specific spot in mind, or no final destination and all.
That is what living freedom actually looks like and how you can inhale the freedom of the open road, get to know small towns you never knew existed, small joys of roadside meals, and loud singalongs. If all of these things sound way too attractive and you want to feel the taste of freedom, here are a couple of pieces of advice you need to know before you set on your cross-country road trip.
1. Have You Ever Tried Car Camping: Well, It Is High Time
When you set off on the road trip, you will spend lots of time in your car. It is why it is a road trip. When we say lots of time, it means even nights. So you should know a couple of tips on how to sleep inside your car. When you are going camping in your car, it is much smarter to use campgrounds and public lands instead of parking lots and truck stops. It is much safer than spending your nights in parking lots. A lot of people tend to pass through truck stops and these places are usually very dark and crowded. On the other hand, campgrounds and public lands will provide you with more privacy. Additionally, there are other campers in these areas making the campfires and hanging out together so it will give you a sense of security. If you are new to road trips, then you should go through a complete beginner guide to road trips and find all the information you might find useful. Your road trip should not only be about relaxation and enjoyment but about security as well.
2. Be Wise and Plan Your Route
Once you have decided to go on the road trip and start your preparations, it is high time to pin all locations of your greatest interest on the map and see how you can make your route go smoothly. You can use Google maps or some other apps to help you figure your route out. Even though these are not tangible maps, they are considered road trip essentials. The number of places does not matter since by using these maps, you will be given a better insight into where these places are located, and based on this, you can make your route accordingly.
3. Learn How to Use Your Maps
Google Maps is a great tool to help you route and plan out your road trip just if you know how to use it properly. There is an option that will help you make customized maps for the destinations you want to visit and color-code all the attractions so that you can keep them categorized. The great thing about Google Maps is that you can use all the additional information such as traffic checks and checking if the attractions you want to visit are open or closed.
4. Road Trip Packing Rule
Do not entirely rely upon technology. The first rule for a road trip is to bring an old, traditional paper map as well and learn how to use it. Truth to be said, GPS and apps are easier and faster ways, but in some areas, the signal can be very weak, thus you may find yourself in trouble and at risk of getting lost. So, this is why you need to bring an old-fashioned map with you.
5. Local Driving Laws
Another very important piece of advice is to familiarize yourself with local driving laws and avoid any troubles. If you are planning a road trip out of your country, you should learn about the driving laws of the country you are paying a visit to since they can differ from the laws in your home country.
6. Make On-Road Playlist
What is a road trip without good music and songs you are singing along to your fullest capacity? We all love road trips, but none of us is interested in staring through the window in utter silence. This is why a good-quality road trip list is one of the essentials, and make sure that there are songs for everyone’s taste.
Road trips are one of the most exciting experiences you will ever get to feel. Indeed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you should enjoy it to the fullest.