I love road trips! As you are reading this, my family and I are on a road trip, to multiple destinations in multiple states. I’m pretty sure my love of road trips has a lot to do with the fact I’m never the one driving on them LOL. In my defense, my husband loves to drive, and I do not enjoy driving for the most part, so we are a match made in heaven.Since I was little I used to look forward to our summer camping trips in Wisconsin, which meant we got to take a fun mini road trip, while on our way to having a great time camping. Road trips have always been happy memories for me. What I have learned over the years about road trips are the MUST HAVE items I need for the road trip. I have a pretty solid five items (plus one bonus) I for sure always have with me that I’m sure many of you will agree with. To me, not having these items could definitely make or break, the entire trip.
1) Music:
To me this is a no brainer. If I’m even driving down the street to the grocery store I hook up my phone and play music. I don’t think I’d survive an entire road trip without it. Quietness in the car borderline makes me crazy. Whether we are listening to music as a whole, or I venture off to my own world and listen to my music with headphones, music is an essential road trip item.
2) Book:
When I’m not listening to music I love to read. I love to read in general, but the down time in the car during a road trip is the perfect time to do so. If you’re someone who needs to read in quiet, while the driver listens to their music, put a pair of headphones in or over your ears to muffle their music.
3) Water:
I’m sure this seems weird to be a list of must have items for a road trip, but have you ever been in the car driving for a while, get thirsty, and realize you didn’t bring any water to drink. Sure, nobody likes making unnecessary bathroom stops on a road trip, but you’ll be even more miserable and thirsty without water during your trip.
4) Snacks:
I love to eat, but believe it or not, I’m actually not a huge snacker…except on road trips. I love to snack while I’m in the car for a long period of time and I’m not sure why. However, I’m particular about my road trip snacks. I need to have two options of both something salty and sweet. Gotta be able to switch it up over the hours. It is also because of these snacks why #3 is so important.
5) Charger:
It’s 2016 which means we all have smartphones, ipads, tablets etc. Doesn’t matter if you’re team iPhone or Android, (#teamiphone in this household!) we need chargers for the car to charge our phone a few times, if not the entire trip. Between listening to music, receiving phone calls/text messages, playing games, little ones watching movies, social media notifications etc., chargers are essential to a road trip. It’s even more helpful if you have a car (or adapter) that will allow you to charge multiple electronics at the same time.
6) Person/People You Love:
As my husband and I like to say, “a road trip can make or break a relationship.” THIS IS SO IMPORTANTLY TRUE. Nothing is worse than being stuck in a confined space with someone who gets on your last nerve. Being in a confined space with someone you love can also turn into you guys not loving each other so much after the road trip is all said and done. Pick your road trip posse carefully. I have a lot of family and friends but I know there are certain people I could never road trip with. Nothing wrong with knowing your loved ones and choosing accordingly.
Have you ever been on a road trip? If not, is it on your bucket list of things to do? If so, did you enjoy it and what made it so enjoyable? The same question goes for if you didn’t enjoy it. I believe everyone should experience a road trip at least once in their lifetime. Here’s to safe travels, lifetime memories, and traveling the world! Please say a few prayers for my family and I to have a safe and smooth road trip over the next week. I hope you all have a great rest of your week! 🙂
Brie <3
[10.19.16]
