Planning a Road Trip

A road trip is one of the most fun things to do with friends. Take a car, some food and just head out into the open spaces! What fun! But a road trip is more than just packing your bags and setting off. Planning is very important too! Who knows whether you'll get the daily necessaries along the way?

Initiating the Road Trip

What is a road trip really? A road trip means you can simply go anywhere as long as there are no visa and passport restrictions. You could even think about planning a road trip across the USA if you want! The destination is undecided, the hotels are not booked. Nothing! So how would you plan such a trip? And why do you need to?

Because, while the places are undecided, there are some things which you have to take with you, irrespective of the destination. Hence, road trip planning is very important and you have to carry all the stuff which you intend to take along with you.

Where to Go?: The first thing you need to plan is the destination. Do you have some specific places in mind where you intend to go? Or you don't mind making an impulsive plan? It might happen that along the trip you might find one destination more tempting and fascinating than the one you've planned to go to. So would you mind missing a better place or are you okay with sticking to the plan?

Where to Stay?: Secondly, you need to know whether you intend to stay in a hotel or a couple of sleeping bags would be just fine. The hotel would undoubtedly be a more expensive option and if you have to book in advance, it will unnecessarily tie you down and restrict your destinations. A sleeping bag and a tent means that you can sleep practically anywhere from the beach to right at the edge of a lake. But a sleeping bag obviously lacks the comfort, and the running water benefits that a hotel tempts you with. So hotel or self-arrangement is the second step in the whole planning process.

How to Go?: The third thing you need to keep in mind, and quite importantly so, is to ensure that the car you're taking is in good condition. Check the oil in the car and ensure that the car is not giving any trouble. It is better if you get the car serviced just before the road trip. Because if the car breaks down, it will be no fun for anyone. Also remember to carry your car tools. Carry a spare tire and a jack as well, just in case.

What Will You Need?: Fourth thing you need to plan is the stuff you want to take along. You might not always find a grocery store or a supermarket on the way. So carry all the things that you think you need on a daily basis. The first things I can think of are the toiletries, some food and good music. A map too might come in handy! Food, especially snack items are very important because you might feel hungry on the long rides. I don't think I need to remind you to carry clothes! Here's a list of things you ought to carry on a road trip.

• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toilet paper
• Cereal/Snacks
• Clothes
• Good music
• MONEY!
• Books (if you like reading at night)
• Board Games
• Playing Cards
• First Aid Kit
• Car Tools
• Tent + Sleeping Bags
• Doggy Bags (?)
• Road Map
• Camera
• Movies

Other things to carry on a road trip depends on where you're going. If you're going to a beach, you could carry a pair of shorts and a surfboard! If you're going to some lake then you need to carry a fishing rod, etc. A road trip is one of the most fun things you can do and something you'll totally enjoy! So have fun!