7 Tips for a Successful Road Trip

I love a good road trip and through the many hours spent traveling in the car, I’ve discovered a few things that have completely changed the way I travel! Whether you’re a seasoned road tripper or a first-timer, these 7 tips will help you make the most of your trip.

For all of my travel essentials and things I bring with me on road trips, check out this list here!

#1: Wear a Belt Bag

When you’re on a road trip, you’re getting in and out of the car pretty often. Whether you’re stopping for a snack, walking the dog, or running to the bathroom, it’s nice to be hands-free, but still have all of your essentials on you in a belt bag.

#2: Create a Pouch of Bathroom Essentials

I’m the person in the car who has to stop frequently for bathroom breaks. Some trips I’m better than others, but when we’re traveling between New York and South Carolina, we’re bound to make a handful of stops. Some rest-stop bathrooms are spotless, while others are questionable, so I’ve learned it’s always best to be prepared. I like to keep a ‘bathroom pouch’ in the car loaded with essentials and then I’ll just slip what I need into my belt bag before we stop. I usually include things like Lysol to go, flushable wipes, toilet seat covers, tampons, and hand sanitizer. The wipes and toilet seat covers come in individual packs which is so helpful!

#3: Pack Bathroom-Sized Trash Bags

This has been a game-changer for us. You accumulate quite a bit of trash throughout a road trip, so I started bringing a roll of trash bags so we’re able to clean the car out easily at each stop. I find the Glad small trash bags to be the perfect size for quick clean-ups! Taking those few minutes to clear things out makes it 100x easier when it’s time to unpack at your destination.

#4: Create a Road Trip Playlist

Having a great playlist truly makes the time go by so much faster. Before you hit the road, take some time to curate a playlist that includes all your favorite songs. 90s alternative is my personal favorite! Make sure to download the songs or save them offline, in case you lose service during your trip.

#5: Try to Map Out Your Stops

While road trips can be unpredictable, especially with weather, traffic, and unexpected bathroom breaks, it’s always best to have some sort of plan. Before we hit the road, we try to map out our stops ahead of time. For instance, if we leave at 9 am, we’ll grab Starbucks on the way out, and aim to drive 3-4 hours before stopping for lunch at Wawa. Knowing roughly when and where you want to stop leaves out the guesswork. It also prevents you from wasting time deciding where everyone wants to go at the moment.

#6: Have Some Cash on Hand

I’m usually a credit card girly, but I always try to bring some cash for a road trip (in varying denominations). You may need it for rest stops, tips at hotels, and even though we have an E-Zpass, there have been times when we’ve driven through the wrong lane.

#7: Have Fun!

Road trips can be long and daunting, but they can also be tons of fun. We travel back and forth from SC to NY often, but we’ve learned to make the most of it and enjoy the time we have in the car together. Some of my best memories are actually from road trips!

Be sure to sign-up and download my free Road Trip checklist for your next adventure!