The Road Before the Trip
- amynicole
- Mar 6, 2019
- 7 min read
I will probably write multiple posts on this topic; how to prepare for a trip. But this is because your road trip is different from your beach vacation is different from your thru-hike is different from your big city trip with the girls, you get the jest. Each and every trip deserves the appropriate time and attention. But in all fairness my trips will absolutely have a common theme, THE GREAT OUTDOORS.
We are going to focus on your classic road trip today, because I have been preparing for my trip to Arizona, and not only will this help me as we near our departure date, but I highly encourage getting in your car and just going to see some shit, so lets do it!
It's time to prepare for the ride of your life. Where do you begin? What do you prepare for? What do you spend your time doing? How do you budget in advance? In what condition do you leave your home? Is there such as thing as over planned?
I do not, by any means, know the correct answer to these questions however I will tell you what I do pre-trip to maintain and keep my mental sanity, and I like to think I am going a damn good job.
> Pick somewhere realistic at that time in your life: I usually follow my gut and ask myself, where have I been thinking about quite frequently travel-wise? Yeah some of us think about a million places at once but try your best to sort through them. For instance our most recent thought process looked something like this - - Both my boyfriend and I have always wanted to check out Arizona. We have intentions of moving out of state in 2020 and Arizona is one of the states on our radar. I love the mountains and he loves the heat. We have two puppies that we would like to travel with us, however we are both recent graduates and do not have money or time off for an extensive trip or the luxury of flying with two dogs. And vola, roadtrip to Flagstaff, Arizona it is!
> Once you pick your destination, stick to it: You'd be surprised the amount of people who don't really get anywhere because they just can't stick to a decision. Or even worse, they get comfortable and spend their time traveling to the same place year after year (blah..). How many times have you decided to go somewhere and 1.) Got some weird gut feeling that it may not be as amazing as you dreamed up 2.) Started thinking about other places that might be "better" 3.) Had too many people involved with too many options swarming around like abuncha nats. Trust me, I've been there. But remember, there is a reason you wanted to go there from the start, there is no perfect destination, and some of the best trips you'll ever take are the ones you expect the least from.
Just enjoy the opportunities you allow yourself and don't look back! It will only lower your appreciation for the journey. And then journey again..
> Route your route: First thing I do, throw that shit in google maps (and/or RoadTrippers.com). I like to layer the foundation, how long the drive will be, approximate millage and cost of gas, how much time does it allow me at my destination, and what states I will have to travel through. If you feel confident with the hard facts and are prepared financially, physically, and mentally for them then you can go just about anywhere!
> Do your research: This part might sound painful to some, but doing research before a trip is genuinely one of my favorite things to do. I do this for both my own personal bookkeeping but also for preparation. I like to know the common species of plants and animals in the area. Things to be aware of such as weather fluctuations, dangerous plants and animals, and state laws and regulations. I always do research on the geology and archeology of the area. All in all, it's fun to go somewhere and know your shit.
> Figure out where you're going to sleep at night: Whether you like Airbnb, hotels, motels, campgrounds, one of the biggest mistakes people make is spending too much on a place to sleep. Based on your trip style, how much time are you spending in your temporary living quarters. Sites such as Airbnb use this as a marketing tool because you can rent these unique, beautifully decorated homes however you may only be in them at the end of the night to shower and sleep. On the other hand, you may be planning a quiet weekend in the woods with the family, where a nice, large, luxury cabin with a firepit that sits right off the water would get its use. Consider what you are really going to be using your living quarters for and go from there. In Arizona, my boyfriend and I will be sleeping and occasionally cooking in our living quarters, and hopefully showering lol. We chose to rent a small guest house on the owners property with a bonus fenced in yard where the dogs can play. It is simple, much less expensive then renting some other units in the area, and sits in a good location. It is perfect for what we are going to be using it for, not too much and not too little.
> Plan but don't over plan: This one is a tough one depending on your personality type. While your doing your pre-trip research you are probably coming across a ton of popular things to do in the area. I like to take note of things that stand out and interest me, however make sure you really dig above and beyond the "Top 10 Best Things to See In XYZ". Figure out what locals do for fun, talk to your host if you have one, read articles on the area, etc. When you participate in activities that make you feel native to the area you are visiting, you'll know you did it right! Keep a list of places to see, things to do, and places to eat so you are not completely blind to what the area offers. But, do not get overly obsessed with the idea of completing them all. May times people let themselves down because their expectations where bigger then their reality. On the other hand, planning day by day, hour by hour can be detrimental to a trip. Weather can alter plans, people change their mind on things they want to see, life happens in these instantaneous moments, that's not going to change just because you planned a structured vacation. On the other, other hand, there are some activities that deserve more planning then others though, such as an extensive hike or a guided tour. Be aware of what needs heavier planning, what does not, all the while keeping your expectations in check.
> Things to complete a few weeks prior: The few weeks before your departure are when the most intensive action takes place and where things get r e a l. I do a checklist of things before I set out on the road for a long trip listed below
Get the vehicle checked out by a professional. Ask for specifics like checking the oil, making sure the spare tire is in good condition, filling up fluids, etc
Check the vehicle out yourself. This I usually do the weekend beforehand but I like to check the tire pressure, spare tire, fluids, just for my own peace of mind
Clean the vehicle inside and out. I spot clean the shit out of my car, scrub the seats, buy new air fresheners, take out anything I do not need for this specific trip. You are going to be in the vehicle for an extended period of time, make it comfortable.
Buy snacks, easy travel meals, and drinks prior to you leaving. Buying food on the road not only adds on to travel time significantly but also is just a waste of money.
Clean my house. Just like the vehicle, I vigorously clean my house before departing. When you get home from an amazing trip of hiking mountains, just drove 60+ hours in two weeks, you are not going to want to do dishes or come home to a mess. Keep the position vibes up by coming home to a clean, positive space where you can nap and nap and nap.
Make arrangements for other living things in your life. I give my house key to a trusted friend, family member, neighbor, etc. to water my plants during the week and just check on my belongings, you know just for the peace of mind.
Let people close to you know where you will be and when. This is just another precautionary tool especially when traveling by car for long periods of time. Although I am sure you are an adult and can do whatever your little heart desires, its always smart to be safe. I share my location with my mom when I am traveling so that if I get stuck, in a bad situation, who knows what, someone knows where I am located.
Pack beforehand. My wonderful boyfriend is notorious for this, and I am sure I will be dealing with this the night before we leave; packing the night beforehand. Sometimes there's special clothes you want to bring on the trip. I pack a week or so prior so I don't find myself disappointed the morning of that my one shirt is dirty and has to stay home!
If you have animals, pack them up early just to get it out of the way. You think clear the weeks beforehand so you'll be less likely to forget something dumb while rushing out the door.
Stash some safety items in your vehicle in easy to access spots. I always have pepper spray somewhere within reach. I've never had to use it but better safe then sorry!
Buy one new special outfit. It just makes it fun!
> Keep it light the day before departure and the day of: The worse thing you can do is begin the trip with stress and anxiety. You are prepared! Turn on the music, grab a snack, talk about everything and anything, and just go do it!
I hope your next road trip crushes all
expectations because you didn't have
any expectations! Experience instead
my people. I would love to hear from
you, any additional things I should add
to my checklist? Because we sure know I
am not perfect. I would love to hear
times you expected less and in turn got
more! Tell me all the things!
Also don't forget to pack your doggos on your next adventure, they'll love you for it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Comments