There is nothing quite like a road trip! It is an activity that used to define the American automotive industry. As well as being a prominent plot hook for many of the comedy movies of the early 2000’s. And many of the great American literary classics, like ‘On The Road’ and ‘Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas’ have used roadtrips as a powerful tool to convey a poignant message.
Over the years we have seen the art of the road trip start to vanish. Covid played a huge role in this. As have the skyrocketing fuel prices. Instead people have been focusing on travelling abroad. Seeing flying to a different nation as a cheaper alternative. And there is nothing wrong with that. All travel broadens the mind. But going on a road trip can actually be far cheaper than flying abroad. And it can also be infinitely more rewarding too.
There is so much to see and do right here in America. So many unique places that you could only end up seeing on a road trip. Which is why we are here to reignite the lost art of the road trip. By showing you have to do it right!
Picking Your Route
I often find there are two types of travellers. Those that love to have everything planned out. And those who love to go with the flow and see where the experience takes them. Both approaches are equally valid for a road trip. But it is important to manage expectations ahead of time.
The one thing you should definitely consider is your ending point. Unless you are planning on doing a complete round trip you will likely end up flying home from wherever you end up. If you’re planning a road trip along Route 66, for example, you will want to have a general idea of where you will depart from once you’ve completed the trip.
Part of the magic of a road trip is coming across towns and attractions you have likely never heard of. But it is also wise to do some research beforehand to ensure you don’t miss out on any big ticket attractions or events that might be occurring.
You will need to do some research into various rest stops and gas stations. Especially if you’re planning your trip in an RV. You will likely need to book ahead to ensure there is a place for you to park your RV overnight. Which leads us into the next topic quite nicely.
Picking Your Vehicle
The obvious choice would be to grab your friends and jump into a car you own and head off. But we are telling you now this isn’t a good idea. Chances are your car isn’t designed for long distance road tripping. And the wear and tear associated with a road trip isn’t going to be worth the hassle.
You should look at renting a car, or ideally buying an RV if you’re planning future roadtrips. This will allow you all to split the costs and ensure the vehicle you are using is comfortable and can go the distance. RV’s are ideal for smaller groups as you can cut down on accommodation costs while also being far more comfortable while you travel. It also offers you a chance to enjoy a few more of the creature comforts you’re likely used to. If you’re opting for a car you will want something spacious that gets good mileage.
Buying an RV isn’t as expensive as you might think either. Most of the RV listings here at rvpostings.com are extremely reasonable. And, when you aren’t using it, you can rent it out to other road trippers.
Picking The Soundtrack
There will be large parts of your road trip where you are going to have to entertain yourselves. The large stretches of open road between the exciting attractions. If you look at every bit of popular road trip related media they all have one thing in common. A strong focus on music.
Constructing the perfect road trip soundtrack is no easy task. It should be done as a group effort to ensure that everyone is happy. You will want to prepare a few different playlists to encapsulate different moods. At the start of the trip you will all be naturally very hyped and excited. So the first playlist should encapsulate that.
But you want to add a lot of variety into the mix. A road trip isn’t just about seeing new places. It is also about learning more about yourself and those you are travelling with. And music can be a great way to facilitate this. It is a chance to learn about the musical interests of your friends while also giving you a chance to appreciate songs you might not have even given time to before.
