Rockin’ Road Trip Guide

In an accompanying blog post, I offered a guide of some of the most scenic drives in America. There are gorgeous views all over the country, and all it takes to experience them is the will, a car, and enough gasoline to make the journey. However, I’d be lying if I were to gloss over the fact that travel can be stressful, especially when you’re trapped in close quarters with people for long periods of time; it’s easy to grow irritable and people who started out as friends could turn into nuisances by the end of the trip.

Whether you’re traveling with friends or family this summer, and whether your road trip is the star attraction or merely the path to your vacation spot, follow these tips for a fun, stress-less road trip!

1. Research the route- Make sure you’re prepared before heading out by mapping your route. Know which roads you want to take to avoid running into boring or high-traffic areas, know which attractions you want to hit up, and know where you can stop for gas. Luckily, paper maps are a thing of the past and there are a plethora of travel apps available to help you map out your route.

2. Clean out your car- No one wants to ride for hours on end in a dirty car. Spare yourself the embarrassment and clear your car of the all the gum wrappers, fast food bags, and pet hair that accumulate over time.

3. Pack plenty of snacks- Stopping to eat every few hours can really take a toll on your wallet and also cuts into time you could devote to other activities. Make the most out of your time and money, and pack snacks that everyone enjoys so that when hunger hits, you’re covered. Some easy snacks that can be eaten in the car include bottled water, chips/nuts, cheese sticks, granola bars, and cut veggies.

4. Bring a camera- Just about everyone owns a smartphone, so it’s probably a given that you have a camera on hand. Be sure to put it to use and capture priceless memories along the way.

5. Don’t overpack- no one wants to be stuck in an overstuffed car for hours. Have everyone in your travel party limit themselves to one bag so that everything fits in the car neatly and no one feels cramped and uncomfortable.

6. Have some go-to games and music- It is especially important, if you’re traveling with children, to keep them entertained. Avoid the notorious “Are we there yet?” with an arsenal of classic travel games such as a scavenger hunt or license plate-spotting game. You can’t go wrong with a mix of your favorite tunes either- crank up the volume and have a sing-along!

7. Get your vehicle inspected before the trip- The most important item on your road trip checklist should be to get your vehicle inspected, as failing to do so could be dangerous. Take your car to a mechanic to make sure its brakes, fluid levels, wiper blades, and tires are in top shape and make sure that your vehicle is equipped with emergency supplies such as a spare tire and jumper cables.

I’ll admit- traveling can be stressful, and oftentimes the process of getting to your destination is what makes it that way. There’s getting through security at the airport and the fear of missing your flight. There’s dealing with bickering children (your own or someone else’s) and being in cramped quarters. Sometimes you have to put up with inconveniences like lost college or unexpected fees. Other times, however, if you actively let go of your stress and worries, the journey is the destination and getting to wherever you want to go can be just as enjoyable, if not even more enjoyable, than the destination itself.

One of my favorite novels is Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. This book is classic Americana at its best, as it details the journey of Kerouac and his friends across the highways of 1950’s America without a destination in sight. You might not be able to follow in Kerouac’s exact tire tracks today as you could have when the book was published, as Route 66 doesn’t exist today as it did then- but there are plenty of drives throughout the United States that are just as entertaining and breathtaking. This summer, I challenge you to embrace the joys of traveling and take a road trip with your family and friends. I can just about guarantee that if you take one of these scenic drives, you will not be disappointed.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina

This 469-mile stretch of highway through the Blue Ridge Mountains is so breathtakingly beautiful that it’s managed by the National Park Service. Known as “America’s favorite drive,” it offers unparalleled views of the vast Shenandoah Valley, towering mountain peaks, and verdant forests and meadows.

Route 66, Illinois to California

Route 66 may not exist any longer as a main, unbroken highway, but you can still drive parts of this iconic highway. The most scenic stretch is the mountainous region extending from the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River. Be sure to experience Americana on your journey and stop at the kitschy roadside attractions, mom-and-pop shops, motels, diners, and vintage service stations.

Pacific Coast Highway, California

You’ve most likely seen pictures of Big Sur with stretches of elevated highway winding alongside seaside cliffs. That’s because the 100-mile stretch of road running from Monterey to Hearst Castle is so famous. Gasp in awe at the beauty of this drive and maybe stop at a beach while you’re at it.

Highway 12, Utah

If you want to feel small and awestruck, then this is the drive for you. Red-tinged sandstone cliffs tower above snaking expanses of highway between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park.

Route 100, Vermont

The classic New England drive is best enjoyed in the fall when the foliage takes on fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. Route 100 is stretch of country road that winds through forests and over hills, from Stowe south to the Massachusetts border.

This is just a mere sampling of some of the gorgeous drives that can be found in the United States. Grab your crew and hit the road this summer for a real travel treat!

Rockin’ Road Trip Guide

America’s Most Scenic Drives

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