Tips from a Road Traveler

From all of my road trips I have learned a few things. I’d like to share some of this road trip knowledge with you in case you find any of it helpful in planning your own adventure by road. *NOTE: As I realize/think of more, I may add to this list in the future (Last added to on 8/20/14).

1. Never take the same route twice  (if there are other options): When I traveled up to Seattle from Austin for summers in college, I always tried to take a different path: up the coast, through Colorado, and even if I went through the same area, I tried to at least take a different road – I-5 vs 101 vs scenic roads. This way I get to see different things and experience different communities. This goal has continued, even if some of the key cities remain the same.
2. Decide if you’re in a rush or not ahead of time: My most rushed trip was from Seattle to Austin in 40hrs (stopping on the side of the road in Cheyenne to sleep in my backseat for 6hrs. Then there are trips where I take all the countryside tours and go to the local tourist attractions like where I can drive through a huge redwood tree, hang out on a beach, row on a lake nearby…etc. When I decide, “I just need to get there” versus, “I’m going to take my time” I have an excellent trip. However, the worst trips or legs of trips have been when I want to both do lots of things on the way AND get to my next stop by the evening or when I have a deadline restricting my time. It’s guaranteed you won’t enjoy the stops and you’ll be frustrated and arrive late and tired. Make sure to decide before you head out what your goals are for the day.
3. It’s best to plan your night stops (especially during summer/tourist seasons): It seems fine to say, “I’m going to see how far I can drive before I get tired and then stop somewhere.” However, during tourist/summer season this doesn’t necessarily work. I’ve done this a couple of times and both times have only realized that camp site locations sometimes aren’t easy to find on the fly, and that when I do find them, they tend to be full unless you made a reservation. I even went to a hotel and they were all booked up. Therefore, if you know you have a two day trip, I recommend planning your stop and setting it up in advance, so that you know you’re all set for it if you can.
4. Decide what experiences you will regret most if you miss out on them and do those: If you have limited time, I have found this system is a great way to help me edit my trip. I have had so many people to meet up with, things to do, places to go – it’s just impossible to do everything and sleep and stay on some kind of schedule. For example, would I most regret not going dancing with a bunch of people I don’t really know, or would I most regret not spending quality time with a friend who I haven’t seen in 10 years.  Another might be, will I regret not sleeping a full night tonight before the long drive tomorrow, or will I regret not getting another chance to row on the waters in the early morning. – serious questions that require serious thought. The decisions greatly impact the trip and so far I’ve only made a couple of decisions I wish I had changed.
5. Give yourself a day off: Traveling is exhausting. As an over-planner I have on my google calendar the blocks of time allotted for travel, and then everything else I’m doing as if it’s all just part of a normal day. However, traveling is exhausting. Sometimes I can go straight from traveling to being functional working or socializing mode. But sometimes that just isn’t possible. Sleep, rest, time for thought, journaling and quietness need to happen – EVEN for extroverts! After all, most people get a day off or a weekend off. When on the road, you also need a day off or two from traveling. I have been in amazing places and been so exhausted that I didn’t want to row, hike, explore and really just wanted to stay on the sofa and do nothing or catch up on SYTYCD. So depressing to want to do nothing when you know you’ll miss out on stuff. This recovery time has to be allowed in order to be ready for the fun that is waiting in the next day.  
6. Invest in people: Places are cool and things are cool, but I personally really love people. What I tend to enjoy most about going to places and to see things is the time spent with someone who I’m doing it with. Traveling is a great way to gain perspective, have meaningful conversations and develop relationships with strangers, new friends and old friends. I have not once regretted spending time with someone on this trip, and I have been very glad I’ve worked so hard to see as many people as I can fit in on my journey. As an extrovert, this has also helped re-energize me and excite me about continuing the trip.  Even if I’m doing things alone many times I get suggestions from people I care about and get to do them knowing that I can now share this experience with that person since it’s their favorite thing to do, place to eat.
7. Books on tape: Books on tape are awesome. I’m not really listening to them for trips that are shorter than four hours, or for trips that I’m trying to do lots of scenic stops, but for the longer trips where I’m just burning asphalt they just eat up the time beautifully. In particular, I’ve been listening to the CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve read these many times, seen various versions of the movies and this almost makes it better. It doesn’t matter if my brain spaces out or starts drifting because I can get back into the story no problem. I highly recommend this option for the killer portions of travel.
8. Use anger and naps: There are two ways to push through driving when you are tired. The first is advice directly from my mother: Get angry! You probably know the saying “don’t go to bed angry.” Well it’s actually really hard to go to bed if you’re feeling angry, right? Your brain is racing, your body is reacting, it just doesn’t really work. When you’re driving then – if you can make yourself really angry, it actually is awesome and giving you more alert driving time. The second is just as effective, although it adds time to your trip: TAKE A NAP! I am really lucky that I can basically sleep anywhere in any position. Including leaning up against the bags on the passenger side (with the emergency brake digging into my side), curled up in the small pocket of space in the backseat meant for bundle...WHILE bundle was there too, lying down with my back on the drivers seat with my feet in the air/out the window and my head on a pillow by the emergency brake. Yes, I am wicked talented at sleeping. A few of these have resulted in my leg(s) going completely to sleep – an interesting experience with some more funny stories that go along with it. However, these 10-30 minutes naps allow me to be alert for a few more hours of driving! I keep a blanket, pillow and eye mask readily available at all times while driving. Pull over and find a way to take a nap – it’s way better than hitting yourself, singing loudly to punk rock or hip hop, or jumping up and down in your seat while driving to stay away for an extended period of time.
9. Bathroom and Gas stops are no laughing matter: Most people have had a panic moment about getting gas, but more recently I had a panic moment about finding a restroom. Both of these things can be a time suck for trips. If you wait until you need gas, then you might end up going well out of your way to finally get it. Same goes for bathrooms. I’ve gone 15 minutes out of my way for gas because I was at “15 miles left” AH! You have to do it, so you do. I’ve also bought meals, drinks and snuck into a roadside port-a-potty. As much as I hate stopping, I encourage stopping when you can at good stops for both of these services, before either becomes a dire need. I have found if I need to pee – I also get gas and vice versa. Even if I’m only putting a few gallons in the tank it makes the stop worthwhile and means I don’t have to do another stop before I have to use the bathroom again (hopefully). 
10. Always pack a nice outfit: I definitely over-packed for this trip. When I was in Spokane I actually sent a huge box of stuff home as I realized I’d prefer the space in the car to a few of these extraneous items. Having a nice outfit has not really been necessary, but it has come in handy. On a trip, you never know when someone is going to invite you to a nice dinner or event. It’s good to not always look homeless and have the option of passing for a normal human when the moment arises. Lucky for me I had a couple of nice outfits for a wedding that have seen other unexpected uses. 
11. It’s fun to have things that get people’s attention: I’m traveling with a huge dog and a boat on my car. This attracts attention in a fantastic way. For the dog I meet anyone in my path that loves dogs, has ever known another Bernese Mountain Dog, or who is amazed by how beautiful and sweet my dog is. Then the boat attracts anyone who likes water sports, has ever rowed or has a family member who rowed. Both of these things have led to me finding out a lot about people, making some neat acquaintances, reinforcing how small of a world this really is, and finding out cool things to do with my dog in the area or places I should go row – or people I should row with. Having something that encourages people to interact with you on a road trip definitely adds some extra fun. As I get further away form Pennsylvania, just my license plate does this a bit too, so it doesn’t have to be a huge dog or a boat, but having something makes the journey a little more interesting.
12. Say “YES” to things: When strangers come up to me to start talking about dogs, rowing, or traveling they typically have suggestions or ideas to share. I have learned it is best to listen to these and take notes! As much of a tourist as I sometimes am, many of the cities I’ve gone to I’ve somewhat done the key touristy things. I would much prefer to do the things local people do and enjoy to truly experience the city as the locals see it. In order to do this, you have to be open to talking to strangers and saying yes to crazy ideas that turn into epic adventures and bonding experiences.
13. Have a food plan: Food and drinks are expensive. I have really done well with an incredibly limited budget. Three things that I packed have helped with this. First, is a cooler - one that can plug into my car’s power outlet to keep things cool (sometimes I still throw in a bag of ice though). This holds my smoothie makings, salad stuff, some kind of snack meat, keeps my drinks cool). Second, is my nutri bullet blender, which I use daily to make my morning and/or mid-day smoothies. I make up portion sized sandwich baggies full of fruit, nuts…etc for these every couple of weeks. I have found just adding water works which makes it a little simpler to manage than having to keep juice around. Third, is my soda stream machine,which gives me all the bubbles I could ever want for my trip. On top of this I have a bag of snacky items for the trip (Fig Newtons, Triscuits, Bread, Peanut Butter, Nuts, Honey). My plan for travel days has been typically to do a smoothie in the morning, a PB sandwich mid-day, a salad at night and a couple of snacks between. When I’m with friends I usually have a “normal” meal to replace something – definitely love going to people’s houses for meals. The point to all of this is that you can’t just get on the road without a food plan because that is too expensive and difficult. What will you eat, where will you get it, how will you store leftovers…etc
14. Fat is your friend: A couple of times I’ve bought a rotisserie chicken to have for meals on the road. I have usually not been all about eating the super fatty parts of these, but man those have been what makes the chicken really last! If I didn’t eat that, I would’ve eaten more of the chicken and it wouldn’t have lasted four meals. Fat has it’s role, and when you’re on a budget it’s not a thing to waste. If you only eat super healthy, low fat stuff you’ll eat SO MUCH and have to pack SO MUCH. A little fat goes a long way. 
15. Small portions & snacks are best: Yes, I’m talking a lot about food here. But when you have to stay alert and drive 7-10hrs many days in sequence, and row daily, and interact with people constantly for work-type activities nutrition is SO important. Many times it’s always just a “what is available” mindset for me with food. I’ve never really been super conscious about what or how much I eat, apart from eating “healthy” with only moderate junk/sweet/unhealthy foods. However, once I ate a heavy lunch and it knocked out my afternoon – NEVER again! Eating large meals on a road trip are a terrible idea. You need your body to be ready to go at all times. Snacks are better.
16. Alcohol isn’t worth it: Going back to the discussion of making decisions based on what you’ll regret more if you don’t do it: Would you rather spend money on booze or gas to get to the next place? My answer is gas. I have really tried to NOT spend money on alcohol. I have a few times, but most of those times I wish I hadn’t. Not because I didn’t have fun, but just because it’s so not worth it. I had planned to have this approach before setting out on my adventure. Alcohol is dehydrating and doesn’t help my body recover or function well even the day after. I tend to keep my body at a slight level of dehydration for the long trips anyway and I definitely DON’T need any help with that from drinking – I need help recovering from that afterwards! For trips on the road, vacation…etc,, alcohol is just useless. It would be more fun to spend the money to go sailing, zip lining, surfing, see live music, or for gas to get to the next stop. However, if someone is going to treat me to a drink – I might take him/her up on that.
17. Maps are better than GPS: As useful as GPS devices and phones are at giving directions, they do not really stand the test for road trips. There are times when the GPS signal goes away and times when they seem to get stalled or not function very well. Prior to this trip I always used AAA Trip Tiks. These are fantastic things that give you a flipbook of pages showing the route for your journey from point A to B to C to D…etc. Each page then opens up to show you the full detail of the surrounding roads for that page’s leg of the journey. I swear by these things and highly recommend them (although they can take a couple of weeks for AAA to print up, so require some preparation). However, a regular map works as well and given that the route of my trip changes sometimes weekly the Trip Tiks just haven’t been possible for me. I have primarily been using my phone’s GPS. If you are going to do this I have learned the importance of WRITING OUT directions prior to leaving. Seriously, you can’t rely on your phone only. I also find it useful to study the map before heading out so I can have a big picture of my orientation with everything.
18. Wear sunblock on your left arm/leg: This is especially important when driving west in the US as the sun is south of you and therefore glares right through the driver’s side window. Wearing sunblock prevents getting burned, but it also has seemed to help me regulate my temperature better. The sunblock helps keep my arm cooler although in the sun.
19. Plan for your traveling companion (dog): My dog Bundle has been taking up the area behind the passenger side of the back of my car (back seats down). To keep her cool I have the AC vents aimed up so the air gets to her faster. I also have her hyperkewl mat back there claiming her space. If it’s hot, I can wet that and it helps keep her cool. Note that she refuses to lie on this mat anytime other than in the car when she’s forced to. Now that I’m about to start traveling east, I am debating moving her to behind the drivers side or getting one of those sun block window screens they have for babies to prevent the sun from hitting her directly.
20. Accept anything without a lid spilling: If you bring something into the car that doesn't have a lid on it, be okay with it spilling. It's a similar motto of lending things out, "When you lend something be prepared to lose it forever. If you get it back, that's bonus." In the car this goes for smoothies, sodas, dog water bowl, dog food bowl...etc. If there's no lid, know there is a chance of spillage. Therefore, be prepared for spillage. Have a clean-up plan. Clorox wipes, paper towels, maybe a full on towel...etc. 
21. Bring a piece of home with you: When you are growing up you might have had a stuffed animal or a blanket that was special to you. I recommend people of all ages do something like this. Sleeping in different beds, temperatures, environments...etc and waking up feeling rested can be a challenge. I have my memory foam pillow with me and this ensures that all beds feel like my bed (to a certain degree). Super helpful