By: Danielle Higgins
This winter, my husband and I set out on a meandering road trip that took us from Chicago, over to Washington DC, down to New Orleans, and finally home. Along the roughly 2,700 miles in 12 days, I started to realize there are a few key things that can make or break a road trip. So, I’ve recapped them here to help you plan your next motoring trek.
1. Clean Restrooms
This may be an obvious place to start, however nothing sours a road trip experience like searching for a place to stop when you really have to go. Or worse, not drinking at all along the way to avoid this scenario. Love’s is my absolute go to for a clean bathroom on the road. Another great trick is to choose Turnpikes. While these thoroughfares are paid, the clean bathrooms and easy on/off facilities are worth the cost! Here are a few of the establishments I look for, when needing to use the facilities:
2. Engaging Entertainment
Road trips are defined by hours and many miles in the car. Scenery can be a breath taking distraction, but it can range depending on the location and certainly time of day. Classic road trip games are a tactic to make the time fly, however engaging entertainment makes you beg for ten more minutes!
A Well Curated playlist
A good playlist is a road trip staple. At least for me, it turns any car ride into my very own karaoke booth. I’ve found the best playlists include a range of music spanning genres and decades. There is nothing better than the random throw back song you haven’t heard in years.
On our road trip, I discovered Spotify’s DJ. This personal DJ takes your Spotify history to create a dynamic playlist capturing all of your listening habits. DJ did a good job of playing my favorites as well as infusing new to me songs and artists. Likewise, DJ switched up genres to keep the music fresh throughout the drive. I especially enjoyed that the music flowed without having to worry about picking the next song or playlist to keep it going. Find DJ in the Spotify app if you want to check it out!
A Good Podcast
I’ve found over the years, I gravitate to podcasts more and more. A great ice breaker question too, I’ve been introduced to some awesome podcasts! Along our drive, my husband and I were engrossed in a three part series about the rise, fall, then rise again of Nintendo by Acquired. Filled with cinematic action and thrilling plot twists, we couldn’t wait to get back in the car to hear what happened next! Here are a few of my favorite podcasts:
- Acquired – Ever wonder the origin story behind major companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, or the NFL? Acquired does the research, tells the stories like a work of fiction, then summarizes the key to success. A business podcast that feels more like a Hollywood Blockbuster!
- Darknet Diaries – Recounting some of the greatest hacks and digital heists, Darknet Diaries follows hackers, pen testers, FBI raiders, and bug hunters. This podcast exposes you to the Wild West of the Internet in an approachable and narrative format.
- The Minimalists – Focusing on Minimalism, a lifestyle mindset promoting maximizing life with less (stuff). I find the podcast to cover a much wider range of topics that promote open and thought provoking conversations.
- The Journal – A mix between a consolidation of current events and exposes, The Journal by Wall Street Journal covers a surprising cross section of topics. Two of my favorites: Arabica vs Robusta Coffee Beans and a four part series on “How to Build the Metaverse.”
- Murphy, Sam & Jodi – A family friendly and fun daily talk show, Murphy, Sam, & Jodi cover current events, music news, recipes, books, movies, and life in general.
- The Aftermath of an Assassination – Shoutout to my coworker, Pauly G, this podcast looks at pivotal moments in history and traces their impacts to modern day.
3. Spontaneity
Arguably the most important on this list, what makes a road trip such a special form of travel, is the ability check out things that peak your interest along the way. Road trips are the epitome of the adage “It’s about the journey not the destination.” You never know what hidden gems exist along your path. Plan time into your trip to allow for unplanned stops. It could lead to your best road trip memories.
When I moved from California to Washington DC, my mom and I road tripped 2,750 miles in three days. We passed so many things we wish we had time to stop at – Laguna Burger in Albuquerque (they put poblano peppers on cheeseburgers), a meteor crater in New Mexico, the Arch in St Louis. The list goes on and on.
The best part of our recent road trip, was that we weren’t tied to a defined schedule. We had a general plan, but if we wanted to take a detour or make a stop, we did! One stop took us out of our way to check out the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Driving through Birmingham, AL, we stopped at The Slutty Vegan. We toured the National Corvette Museum where a sinkhole famously swallowed eight Corvettes in 2014! Along the way, we took some backroads and enjoyed small towns and idyllic landscapes that we would have missed from the interstate.
Final Thoughts
So there are three things that will add significantly to your next road trip. I hope these recommendations accompany you on your next adventure.
Need some inspiration on how to pack most effectively for your next trip? Check out my blog post “Five Bags to Improve your Travel Packing Setup.”
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