Long road trips can quickly become boring and monotonous if you don’t prepare for the journey. Luckily, there are plenty of incredibly easy ways to stay comfortable and entertained as you drive through long stretches of countryside.
These clever hacks will make lengthy road trips feel like a breeze.
Download Entertainment Ahead of Time
The last thing you want on a road trip is to get stuck driving through an area with no service and nothing to keep you occupied. Download entertainment ahead of time to prevent boredom on the road. Music, podcasts, and audiobooks are excellent options for long road trips.
Take Frequent Breaks
Don’t underestimate the importance of making frequent pit stops. Driving straight to your destination without stopping to use the bathroom, grab food, and stretch will make the journey feel longer. Try to get out of the car every few hours to stay fresh and motivated.
Pack Snacks
Keeping healthy and delicious snacks on hand makes a significant difference when road-tripping. Snacking can be a good distraction from the monotony of the road and help you stay alert. Opt for nutritious foods that will keep you full while satisfying savory or sweet cravings.
Use Cruise Control to Maximize Gas Mileage
Road trips are the perfect time to take advantage of your car’s cruise control feature. Using cruise control lets you travel more efficiently while maximizing your gas mileage. You won’t have to stop at gas stations as frequently, and the drive will be much smoother when you stick to a consistent speed.
Plan Your Route in Advance
While being spontaneous on a road trip can be fun, you should plan your general route for convenience and safety. Unexpected detours, adverse weather conditions, and heavy traffic areas can significantly delay your journey. Map out your road trip ahead of time for a seamless travel experience.
Wear Compression Socks
Long road trips are a recipe for tight, stiff muscles. Wearing compression socks during your drive promotes blood flow to minimize discomfort. These travel socks also reduce your chance of harmful blood clots.
Dress Comfortably
Pick a road trip outfit that you can comfortably wear all day. After a few hours on the road, you’ll probably regret wearing tight-fitting clothes, denim, and belts. Stick with loose, stretchy pieces—they’re ideal for adding or shedding layers if you get hot or cold throughout the day.
Stay Hydrated
You might think reducing your water consumption is the key to making fewer bathroom stops. However, not drinking enough water can lead to headaches, fatigue, and dry eyes. Staying hydrated is worth the extra bathroom breaks to keep your body happy and healthy.
Use a Seat Cushion
A seat cushion is an excellent travel accessory for frequent road trippers. Driving long distances can get uncomfortable, especially if your car doesn’t offer enough padding or support. Soft yet breathable seat pillows will transform your road trip game.
Clean Your Car Beforehand
One of the best ways to elevate your road trip experience is to start the journey with a clean and tidy car. While your vehicle will likely get messy during the drive, cleaning it beforehand will start your trip on the right foot. Organize essentials to be within reaching distance while you drive and have a dedicated trash bag to prevent junk from overtaking your car.
Bring Extra Clothes
Messes are inevitable when road-tripping, so stay prepared with extra travel clothes. You don’t want to wear a dirty outfit all day if you accidentally spill food or drinks on yourself while driving. Road trips are unpredictable, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Get a Phone Mount
A phone mount is essential to keep yourself and other drivers safe. Clipping your phone into a mount makes it much easier to use navigation, play music, and make calls hands-free. Don’t let your phone distract you from driving and potentially put you in a dangerous situation.
Correct Your Posture
It’s easy to slouch and hunch over when driving for extended periods. Try to do a posture check several times every hour to straighten up if needed. Maintaining good posture will reduce aches and pains while protecting your neck and back.
Stop Driving if You Get Tired
Many road-trippers think they can push through tiredness by cranking the music and chugging an energy drink. If you begin to feel sleepy, it’s important to stop driving and rest up. Driving while tired isn’t just unpleasant, but it’s also unsafe.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
