So, you’re planning a road trip for spring break. You’ve got so many options when it comes to where you’ll go, what you’ll do and who you’ll be doing it all with.
Road trips are fun because they can be something that is planned for a while or just planned last minute. You can kind of just have a loose plan and still have a great time.
Additionally, road trips are a great way to meet all kinds of new people. Whether you’re just road tripping to go see Grandma, or your whole trip is just a big circle, here are 25 tips for spring break road trips. And a bonus tip!
Get an RV! If you can fit get into your budget, getting an RV makes a road trip oh such a simple thing. No bathroom stops, a full kitchen, even a place to sleep. An RV can combine several expenses into one. It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to travel!
Think about a rental car if an RV isn’t in your budget. Mileage is unlimited and you won’t have to worry about maintenance before during or after your trip.
Plan your route ahead of time. Download the map of the area you’ll be traveling, so you can still get directions without a signal.
Clean the car before you go. Start your trip off with a nice clean car, all organized with luggage, snacks drinks blankets and pillows.
Pack the car the night before. Put the things you will need first, into the car last. That way they’re easily accessible when you need them. Things like snacks water blankets and pillows should all be in inside the car with you rather than in the truck.
Bring pillows and blankets. Road trips, whether in a car or RV, definitely need blankets and pillows. Snuggle up put on your headphones and listen to some jams when it’s not your turn to drive.
Get gas the night before. Having everything ready before you actually leave for the trip makes the start of the trip seamless. And that’s when I’m looking for. A seamless spring break road trip.
Road Trip snacks. I really just get my favorite snacks. I also grab high protein snacks to keep me going. Stopping for a meal sometimes only happens once a day. And, buying gas station snacks are expensive and can limit your options.
Paper towels and hand wipes for those snacks. I despise being sticky. I need to rinse or have wipes for my hands.
Music is a must for road trips and who likes having to play DJ police? Not it. Besides, downloading your playlist will make it accessible when you travel out of your cell phone’s coverage are.
Being comfy in the car (and with snacks) is a must. Hoodies and sweats are my go to car outfit. I might even wear my house shoes in the car. Zippered hoodies give me the ability to cool off or warm up a bit when everyone else in the car feels fine.
I like to be comfortable and prepared. A road trip may lead me to explore rough terrain. I believe every road trip should include at least one nature adventure. The more the better though.
Be sure to bring water bottles and at least a gallon jug per person. You may need to wash your hands, or drink it if you end up stuck somewhere for an extended period.
If bringing your own car, top off your fluids a couple of days before you go. Antifreeze, oil and even windshield wiper fluid should be filled. Be sure you won’t need an oil change in the midst of your trip. If so, get that done before you leave too.
When you fill your tank the day before, check your tire pressure too.
Stop at your bank and pick up some cash. You may need it for tipping or for buying things in smaller towns.
Make a small tool kit for your car. Include oil, filters and a tire repair kit.
Annual coverage through AAA is pretty cheap. And they cover you anywhere, even if you aren’t on a road trip.
Bring friends who can (legally) share the driving responsibility. Make sure everyone’s driver license is up to date. That is all. That is the post.
If you want to drive more to get where you’re going, come up with a pre-determined driving schedule. The key to a successful schedule is to actually sleep when you’re not driving. Three hour shifts work great!
Break up the driving, even it it means an extra night on the road. You may even just drive a few hours one of the days to explore something super cool.
Do the speed limit, especially in small towns. They are sticklers for obeying all traffic laws, especially their (sometimes unnecessarily) slow speed limits, just outside of town.
Skip driving in cities during high traffic times. Traffic jams can suck the fun right out of a road trip. Generally, between 7:30 and 9:30 in the mornings (going into the city). And again from 3:30 to sometimes 7:00 in the evenings (leaving the city).
Try to travel during daylight hours. It’s the best time to see everything around and it’s the safest time to drive too. A safe road trip is the ultimate goal.
Driving a bit off route for sightseeing can be worth it.Dark sky communities, for example, are always worth a stop. These are places where you can see the Milky Way. These communities keep artificial light to a minimum, so you can better see the night’s sky.
Things aren’t going exactly as planned. That’s okay the adventure is all in your attitude. Whether that’s flat tire, or that’s a spontaneous invitation to join a bunch of strangers at a campfire. Take (calculated) risks and enjoy the moment!