Unlike other means of travel, road trips allow you to be completely in charge of your itinerary. You can stop whenever you want, for whatever reason, whether it’s to take pictures, rest for a while, grab a bite, buy souvenirs, or explore an interesting-looking place. But before you rally up your friends and hit the road, you need to plan a few activities that will keep the boredom at bay. Despite the unbound freedom involved, the perfect road trip requires a mix of preparation and spontaneity. To help you maximize the fun, here are some tried-and-tested tips to remember before your next adventure.
Eat at Local Spots
You’re going to explore a lot of new places on your road trip, so why not immerse yourself fully in the experience and eat at the local spots you find along the way? Traditional foods are part of a country’s heritage and culture, so by eating at local restaurants, diners, and food trucks, you can get a real sense of what the place is all about. Plus, the food served at popular tourist spots is usually much more expensive than that of understated local spots, which means that you’ll also be saving money in the process. Every country and city has its own traditional dishes that may vary depending on climate and seasonal changes, and there is always something new waiting to be discovered, even if you’re just driving across your state.
Curate the Perfect Playlist
You can’t hit the open road without a good playlist to keep you and your friends hyped-up and entertained. You’ll want to make sure that the playlist is diverse to accommodate everyone’s unique taste, so keep your buddies’ preferences in mind to curate the perfect playlist for your road trip. It would be a good idea to upgrade your car’s DIN head unit to a double DIN head unit so you can control the volume and noise levels better and allow others to play their own music using Bluetooth or the USB port. If you’re in the mood for new music, you can always turn on the radio and see what kind of music the locals listen to.
Document Your Trip
You can see so much more when you’re traveling by car as opposed to a plane, so take advantage of that and make sure you capture those memories! Besides taking pictures and videos, you can also keep a journal of all the places and experiences you loved the most to document your trip. If you go on road trips frequently, you can start a souvenir collection where you buy a small token from every cool place you visit. You don’t have to spend a small fortune; something as simple as a postcard or a shot glass will serve as a heartwarming reminder of the good times you shared with your friends on the road.
Listen to Podcasts
Listening to podcasts is a great way to pass the time on a long road trip. Not only can they keep you and your buddies entertained, but they can also teach you a thing or two and open the door to riveting discussions. There are many great podcasts that you can choose from depending on what you and your travel companions are interested in. If the entire group can’t agree on a specific theme, you can pick something a bit more general, like a podcast about mythology, popular celebrities, world history, etc. You could also listen to an audiobook if you want to stay stimulated and engaged but aren’t in the mood for music or podcasts.
Play Car Games
Car games have always been one of the best ways to keep both adults and kids entertained during long drives, and no road trip would be complete without them. So, instead of passing the time scrolling mindlessly through your Instagram, you and your friends can play the classic 21 questions or the license plate game. There are lots of other car games that you can play, some will keep you entertained, and others will challenge and stimulate your brain, so make sure you check the different options available before you hit the road.
These tips will cure any long-drive boredom, help you bond with your friends, and make your trip so much better. However, none of this will matter if you don’t choose your travel companions carefully. The ultimate tip we can give you is to choose friends whose company you enjoy. With the right people, you can have open, honest, and fun conversations, bond over shared interests, and make new memories that will strengthen your relationship even more.