For solo travelers, friends, families, and yes, even the kids!
Hey all!
It’s Julia here! I’m popping up from behind the curtain to save your sanity for that next road trip you might be dreading.
Summertime, in my mind, typically = road trips, but let’s be honest: plane tickets all year ‘round are unbelievably expensive, so… why not drive?
Yes, yes, I know - long hours in the car are boring, and can be dreadful.
But what if it doesn’t have to be?
I think I can say from experience, there IS a way to make your road trip more enjoyable… maybe even joyful?
Last year, I went on a 2.5-week road trip from Boston, MA, to Los Angeles, CA. I was able to make it outrageously fun, and now I’m sharing my top 5 Road Trip Essentials with you, so you don’t have to dread your next trip.
(Spoiler Alert: This isn’t going to be your typical “pack chargers and your favorite snacks” list. This list, instead, is all about connection, presence, and joy, no matter who you’re traveling with and where you’re going.)
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Romanticize your DJ moment
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Curate a playlist of music that brings you joy; one that makes you have no other choice but to want to get out of your seat and dance
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Hot Tip: Let everyone in the car have their DJ moment. You get to learn new songs, and they get to find their joy in music!
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Play games. Lots of games
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Games keep the mind occupied, build in some competition, and help you get closer to the people you’re with. Don’t forget, it’s all about the experience!
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Top 5 road trip games to ever exist: 20 Questions, License Plate Game, Bingo (find the yellow cars, first to 5 wins), Alphabet Game, Road Trip Questions
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If you’re traveling with people (adults or kids), download this set of road trip questions to kick-start fun, authentic conversation.
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Honor the power of spontaneity
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Let go of a rigid itinerary. See something interesting or unique? Make a pit stop!
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Say a big yes to the detour(s), they’ll bring you somewhere cool!
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Here’s an example: When I was driving through a random town in Wisconsin, I stopped at a small botanical garden that happened to have the only authentic Thai Sala in the US!
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Stop for snack hauls
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Everyone loves gas station snacks… make an intentional point to romanticise the heck out of this pit stop!
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Be sure to get a host of yummy things for everyone to share!
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My must-haves are sour straws, Doritos (or Lays potato chips), and a yellow Gatorade
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Tune into where you are
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Put the phone away and be present. Really present.
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What does the scenery outside the window look like? How’s it changing over time? Does it look similar or different to what you’re used to?
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Hot tip: Google is your friend. Research the places you’re driving through! What’s the history? Any landmarks or interesting facts?
Last but not least… here are a few photos of me doing all of these things… they truly made a trek of a road trip one of the best and most cherished memories.
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If you remember nothing else from this post, remember this: Choose to make the road trip something fun to look forward to. It doesn’t have to be miserable. And download the road trip question cards. Promise you, it’ll bring fun conversation.