For safer measures, get the car inspected for the trip to avoid any surprises. Calculate how many hours of driving will need to be done and divide them between all the drivers. Make a schedule of when everyone will switch, so one person is not left driving the whole day.
Try to set out early each morning to get the most out of your day! If your trip includes driving through major cities, know when you will be hitting them. Avoid rush hour! Some places have toll roads that you can take around the city and they are a lifesaver. When driving through Texas, Austin has traffic almost all the time. Luckily, there is a toll road that gets us through Austin without the nasty traffic. If you are fine with missing out on seeing that city and just want to go around it, toll roads are your BFF.
When you are on the road and it is time to get gas, avoid the stations that are right off the highway because their prices are usually the highest. An important tip whenever you do stop for any reason, make sure everyone uses the restroom or tries to go. Stopping every time someone has to pee wastes gas and money, so take advantage of every pit stop. Travel a little ways into town to find gas that is cheaper.
The biggest necessity for a trip is good tunes! Blasting music on the highway is one of the best parts of a road trip! Have everyone make a playlist for the ride and alternate between them. Music is a great way to loosen everyone up and get them pumped. Make sure to include all your favorite throwback tracks!
Pack a cooler! Bring along snacks, sodas, water, sandwiches etc. Raid your kitchen for anything to bring along. My friends and I always try to have our lunches in the car and then eat out for dinner to save money. Having extra food in the car will help you avoid buying snacks at gas stations because they over price them!
When you do eat out, make it a goal to avoid chain restaurants and fast food joints! Get the most out of what the town has to offer and eat local. You’ll also find that family owned restaurants can be much cheaper and you get way more food. Make sure to mention that you’re out of towners and that it’s your first time at the restaurant because they might want to impress you! I was at this Italian restaurant in Boston and we told the waiter that we were there on vacation. The chef brought us out 2 plates of appetizers and a dessert for FREE.
Sleep
If you plan on staying in a hotel make sure to surf the web for a good deal! There are so many travel websites that will show you the best prices in the town you are staying. Look at places such as Expedia.com or Travelocity.com. Call the hotel before booking your stay to see if there are any fees that are added on and ask about any promotions or discounts they have. A tip I would give for looking at hotels is less is more. You don’t need to stay at a fancy hotel and often times you get more out of staying at a smaller, less expensive hotel. I always go for hotels like Hampton Inn or Best Western because they have free breakfast.
To save even more money, introduce yourself to the world of Airbnb. Airbnb.com is a website that connects you with people who are opening up their homes for travelers to stay all over the world. You get to know real residents of the city who can tell you where to go for fun and the best places to eat. What’s great about Airbnb is that you can often stay in a 3 bedroom apartment for the price of a small hotel room.
FOOD
ON THE ROAD
“Yeah!” by Usher
“Single Ladies” by Beyonce
“HYFR” by Drake
“Jump on it” by Sir Mix A Lot
“All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled
“My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas
“Shots” by LMFAO
“Best Song Ever” by One Direction
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
“American Idiot” by Green Day
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix A Lot
“Best I Ever Had” by Drake
“Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)” by Snoop Dog and Wiz Khalifa
“Fergalicious” by Fergie
“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock
“Look At Me Now (feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes)” by Chris Brown
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson
“Ignition (Remix)” by R. Kelly
“Baby” by Justin Bieber
“Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj
“Beverly Hills” by Weezer
“My Neck My Back” by Khia
“Gold Digger” by Kanye West
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce
“Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
“Gives You Hell” by All American Rejects
“Girlfriend” by Avril Lavigne
“Toxic” by Britney Spears
“Life is a Highway” by Rascall Flatts
“What Dreams Are Made Of” by Hilary Duff
“Stacey’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne
“I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry
“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
HANNAH'S
ROAD TRIP
PLAYLIST