Planning for a Road Trip
Summer is often the season chosen for road-trips, but autumn is ideal. Land travel has its benefits. You can travel as fast or as slow as you’d like, pick your ‘land’ mode of transportation (car/SUV, train, or bus), and take in the views. ‘Views’ from a plane or a cruise liner are brief, static, and not as satisfying. So, before hitting the road and catching the fall foliage in all its glory, here are some tips …
A Road Well-traveled
For road-trips by car, have your vehicle checked beforehand, near the time of departure. Don’t leave this to probability, believing your car’s running fine. Nothing ruins a car road-trip more than having to walk several miles to a gas station or auto repair shop because the car broke down along the way. It may make for a good ‘story,’ but there are other less problematic (and more fun) ways to have road-trip stories.
Acquire a map. Other than water and a dependable vehicle, a great road map is a must-have when touring by land. Pick a motorist’s map as it has more elaborate info about the roads and highways you travel. Ideally, read the map ahead of time, marking your current location and your destination. View and note the desire route and also verify and determine any alternate routes (in case of roadblocks, construction, etc.).
Check for local accommodations, gas stations, restaurants, and medical facilities (e.g. hospitals or clinics) on the way. This sufficiently itemizes the primary road-trip necessities: where to get gasoline (or automotive assistance), where to eat, rest stops, and places to sleep. With these things identified, you’ll be able to design your road-trip accordingly.
Packing. If traveling by car, your packing is only limited to what will fit in the trunk or backseat. However, if traveling by public transportation, pack only the essential stuff. Bring only the things you’ll really need on this trip; a light load of only the essentials ensures easier ‘mobility.’
Hitting the Road
Be sure everything is in order prior to even leaving the driveway.
If taking public transportation, get your tickets early and have them on hand and easily accessible. Fumbling for tickets is an unnecessary frustration.
Not every stop along the route will have an ATM or a bank. If traveling by land, be sure to have a good amount of cash in the major denominations—$1, $5, $10 and $20 bills, along with loose change in coins. This works best in case you find a hotel, inn or restaurant that only accepts cash. Plus, there are still areas where cellphones won’t work. Coins come in handy for placing a call from a payphone if cellphone service is ever disrupted.
Okay. The car’s in order. The map’s been reviewed and annotated. The packing includes only a little more than the essentials. Train/bus tickets are tucked and at the ready. There’s plenty cash for necessities, souvenirs, and amenities. Now what?
Safe travels!
