Road Trip Essentials, Tips, & Tricks

If you read Monday's post, then you know that Todd and I took a mini road trip earlier this month. We drove from Pennsylvania to North Carolina for a long weekend. It was our first road trip together, and overall it was a success. I thought it would be fun to share some of our tips, tricks, and essentials to road tripping. If you're anything like us, then you are living with champagne tastes on a post grad budget.  The two of these don't always align, but we are finding ways to make it work while still living life to the fullest.  We love traveling and exploring, but it can be costly. One of the ways we manage to travel while sticking to our budget is by driving places rather than flying. Yes, it takes more time but it is actually fun! Plus, it gives us time to chat about our wedding planning, life plans, and everything else you could possibly imagine. 

Once you decide where you are going and where you are staying there are a few more things to do before you are actually read to jump in the car and hit the road. The more planning and preparation you do the smoother your trip will be. 

Get the car ready

I'm not talking about loading it up, but actually prepping the car. It's important to make sure your oil and other fluid levels are filled. If you're going further it also might be a good idea to take your car to the mechanic for an oil change, tire rotation, and overall check in. Your future self will thank you for spending a few extra dollars on this if it means you get to and from your destination without any car issues. It's also more comfortable to travel in a clean car. Confession- I'm the worst at keeping the car clean and will avoid cleaning it at all costs.  However, recently I realized that it only takes thirty minutes to vacuum it out, clean out the trash and extra stuff you've accumulated, wipe down the interior, and wash the windows.  Traveling in a clean car just makes you feel so much better during the trip. The final preparations is to make sure that the car is stocked with chargers, and AUX card, hand wipes, and tissues. 

Map Out Your Route

Before heading out for your trip, be sure to map out to see what the best way to go is, where to stop, and the best place to leave from.  This was definitely one of the mistakes that we made. We didn't realize until we got on the road that the plans we had before leaving for our trip actually took us out of the way and added almost an hour to our trip. While mapping out your route, it is also important to note about when/where you will need to stop for gas and where the gas stations are along your route. Gas stops should be quick, so it's best if you can stop along your route rather than taking a detour because of your lack of planning. 

Combine Your Stops

If you're anything like us, then you like to just get to your destination as quick as possible. One way to do this is to combine your stops. Try to plan stops that allow you to grab food, let the dog out if he/she is traveling with you, use the restroom, and fill up your gas tank all at once. This will check three things off the list all at once and allow you to get back on the road again. 

Pack a Cooler

Pack a cooler or lunch box with water, sodas, and snacks. This will allow you to keep driving when you get hungry or thirsty. Plus, when you do stop you will be able to save any leftovers you may have for later on in your trip. 

Use Cruise Control

As you are driving it is helpful to use cruise control.  This keeps you from traveling too fast and getting a ticket.  It also makes it easier on you and it will save you on gas too.

Create a Playlist

Good music is definitely key to a successful road trip. I highly recommend creating a playlist filled with a variety of music. Variety is key because it keeps things exciting. We listened to my summer playlist for a lot of the trip. We also used to the time to begin searching for the first dance song for our wedding. We are still searching, so if you have any favorites we'd love to hear your recommendations!
Check out our playlist here! 

Caffeine Stop

What's a road trip without a caffeine stop? We definitely were in need of one during both ways of the trip.  Back to spending minimal time on stops and optimal time on the road.. I highly recommend downloading the Starbucks App or app for your favorite chain to get caffeine from. On the way home, we used the Starbucks app to find a store along our route and order our coffee ahead of time. When we got there, our coffee was waiting for us. We took a total of seven minutes for the stop to use the restroom and pick up our order.  Fun fact- water is free at most places. We got our water bottles filled with ice and water while we were there too. 

Eat Before You Go + Pack Snacks

It is helpful to not start the trip out on an empty stomach. This was a mistake we made on our way down to North Carolina. Starting on an empty stomach means that you will have to stop for a meal, which is a longer stop and you probably won't need gas yet which goes against the optimize your stops rule. Packing snacks allows you to satisfy your hunger without driving. Here are some of our favorite road trip snacks/drinks.

What are your road trip essentials?

XOXO

Things People Don't Tell You About Friendships

Friendship is quite a complex word.  To each of us it might mean something a little different.  Each individual friendship has many different components and no two friendships are ever 100% identical. I think the basis of true long lasting friendships would have to be loyalty, communication, and flexibility.  Granted I'm not an expert, but in my almost twenty three years on the planet these things have proven to be the base of my forever friendships. Loyalty is important because nobody wants a friend who they can't trust. I always say with any relationship without trust you have nothing, and friendship definitely is included in this circle of trust. Communication is crucial in any relationship because you need to be able to communicate how you're feeling, advice, etc.  Poor communication can literally destroy a friendship.  Last but not least is flexibility.  Surprise, you are not going to be able to live five minutes away from your friends for the rest of your life.  Cue the flexibility. You're going to have to be flexible about finding times to visit one another, chat on the phone, and even be patient as you go through different hurdles of life. 

I'm sure we've all had those friendships that we thought would last forever, but sadly they fizzled out. It's hard to let go of all the memories you had with some people, but there is always a lesson to be learned from every failed friendship.  Over the years, I've learned a lot about friendships..some of these things are what people don't really tell you about friendship. 

Friendships are like plants. They all require a different type of care.

You're going to have to figure out what your friends' expectations are and how you can meet them so that it works for both of you.  Some friends are needier than others. 

When friendships breakup it hurts, regardless of whether it's a slow fade or a hard break off. Sometimes it can hurt just as bad as when a romance ends. 

Some friends you instantly connect with and things move fast. You claim that the two of you are instant BFFS, but sometimes things happen and the forever in BFF is taken away. It could be drama related, distance, or maybe you just don't have many commonalities anymore. When you're close to someone and then they are gone, it can hurt.

You might outgrow some friends, and in turn some friends might outgrow you.

People come in and out of our lives for many reasons.  As humans we change throughout life, and sometimes we have to drop friendships that just haven't changed with us. 

At some point, you might feel a little left out. 

Your friends might make other friends, but always remember if they are forever friends they won't forget you. 

You're not always going to like the person your friends are dating.  Likewise, they might not always like your significant other either.  

You'll have to find the balance of making the attempt to be nice while also looking out for your friend. It's not worth it to end a friendship because you don't like their significant other. 

Sometimes friendships are one-sided.

Friendships should be a two-way street. One person cannot be the only one to make an effort. At some point, you're going to have to end these one-sided friendships because they are just taxing. 

Long distance friendships aren't easy.

As you grow older, your friends are going to move away. You will go from being a short five minute drive away to maybe a few hours plane ride away.  It won't be easy to have your friends across the country. If the friendship means something to you, then you will find a way to make it work.  

Some friends are basically like family. 

If you're lucky, then throughout your life you will find a friend or two who actually become your family.  These are the people who get you the most. The ones that will come with you to your grandparents house for Christmas when you're significant other can't.  The friends that will stay at your house even when you're not there. 

You need to be friends with yourself. 

This sounds corny, but the truth is that sometimes life can be lonely. You need to be able to like and respect yourself when others might not.  

What are the ingredients you put into a high quality friendship?

XOXO