Depending on the type of person you are, road trips can be a drag. I’ve done the trip from Arizona to Texas three times now, each way being 13 hours. I will be in Arizona for the next 2-3 years, it is highly likely that I will be doing that drive a few more times. Also, since I am now closer to other states I haven’t explored, road trips will definitely be a thing!
That’s why I decided to share these 12 tips to survive a long road trip that I have learned so far. These tips are from my personal experience doing the drive alone. This was not a vacation, but I feel like these tips can be applied regardless of what type of trip you’re taking or how long your trip is. I hope they help!
Here are 12 tips to survive a long road trip that I have learned:
Check Your Car – Get an oil change, check your windshield wipers, air up your tires, check the tread on tires, check your lights; the list is never-ending. Do it before your trip if you haven’t done it in a while. Or, if you can wait until after your trip, do it once you reach your destination to help your car recuperate. Even better if you can do it before and after to keep your car running at an optimal level. The last thing you need is for something to happen when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.
Gas Check– Always fill up your car before taking off, always. It’s also important to know your car. What I mean by this is to know how much mileage you get per full tank. This will help you plan when you need to stop and fill up again. PRO TIP: fill up when you are at 1/4 tank. Some highways, such as IH10, can go about 60-80 miles without any cities or gas stations. I’ve had my fair share of scares. Again, the last thing you want is to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Know Your Route – Before leaving take a look at the map. Try to learn your route just in case your phone dies or you lose signal along the way. Look at what cities, highways, and even states you will be going through. If you can, also map out the times you’ll reach these destinations. This will help you plan out your trip better. Ask yourself: where can I get gas? where can I get food? where can I stop and rest? if it’s a major city, will I arrive at rush hour? is there construction or road closures that might slow me down? And if you are taking a road trip where you plan to make stops, it’s helpful to look up recommendations on where to eat and what to see. Also, if possible, keep your GPS on if you are not familiar with the route. Last time, I kept turning my GPS on and off and I’m pretty sure I added about an hour to my trip because the route kept changing; not doing that again!
Story Time: I need matcha in the morning to wake up, especially when I am waking up at 4-5am. On my first trip to Arizona, I waited too long to stop at a Starbucks, figuring there would be plenty on the road. Wrong! It took me 8 hours from my starting point to find a Starbucks, EIGHT HOURS!!! I don’t drink coffee and most places don’t serve matcha, so I had to settle for an energy drink or I wouldn’t have survived. Needless to say, I always look up where the Starbucks are before I take off on the road.
The Passenger Seat – When going solo, this spot is sacred. I reserved this spot for the things I know I will or might need. This includes my purse and food/water. I also like to keep my electronics and other valuable items that I want to keep on me. PRO TIP: If you place a bag in the passenger seat, strap it in with the seatbelt to avoid it moving around.
Weather – Check the weather of where you’re going. Are you going from the South up to the Northeast? Check to see if you need to pack a jacket. Is it going to be raining? Adjust for time since rain slows traffic down. Is it gonna be hot? Make sure you have your sunnies!
Food & Drinks – Y’all I don’t think I have to tell you how important food is on a long trip. Have breakfast, it’ll help you wake up and fuel you for the road ahead. Get your coffee (or matcha) in the morning, you need to be awake for this trip! And carry water and snacks with you. Having snacks on you can help reduce the number of stops you make and if you are trying to be healthy or save money, packing snacks ahead of time will help keep you on your diet and not spend money on unnecessary things. I like to pack nuts and fruit and always carry my Yeti (I only like cold water) and a Gatorade to keep me hydrated. I am careful on how much and how fast I drink it though because then I have to take a restroom stop. In the past, my family has also even packed pre-made sandwiches or bread and meat to make sandwiches when hungry. PRO TIP: take a little cooler with you.
Pack Your CarWith Essentials – As well as packing some food and drinks for the road, there are other essentials that you should always have on you. I like to have a first aid kit for emergencies. But if not a full kit, at least have ibuprofen/aspirin, bandaids, allergy medicine, Dramamine, tissues, toilet paper or anything else that you might need. And ladies, don’t forget tampons and/or pads! Plastic bags are good just in case someone needs to throw up, you need to store/carry something or you need to put trash in it. I also always keep napkins in my car to help clean up messes or my nose. And this one might sound silly, but I’ll even keep plastic wear that you get from drive-thru – you never know when you might get food! A blanket has also proven useful many times! An umbrella, especially during the rainy season. And even an empty gas tank just in case (God forbid) you run out of gas. PRO TIP: store some cash (at least $20) in the middle console or glove compartment, you never know when it will come in handy.
Find and Use Rest Stops – They are there for a reason and honestly, they’re not that bad! On long interstates, you can usually find them every 100 miles or so. They have free restrooms and picnic tables to use if you need a meal break. Most have vending machines and dog areas as well. They are also good to just step out and stretch your legs, arms and back. It’s a long trip, you are going to be seated for a long time so take advantage of this time and move around! Trust me, my butt was sore for a few days the first time I made this trip. *Note: most states will have signs that will tell you when the next rest stop will be, and that usually means that you are about to be on a long stretch of nothingness.
Pay Attention to The Road – Be careful if you are going to be crossing state lines. Different states have different laws. Some states have check points. Speed limits can change rapidly, especially when going through small towns. And let me tell you, Texas has a lot of small towns where you are going 70 MPH one minute and 30 MPH the next. The last thing you want is to get a ticket! And if you are using back roads, be careful with the wildlife. I’ve seen a lot of roadkill. Pay attention to signs for construction zones and other warnings. Move over when you see a parked car on the side of the road – it is a scary feeling to have a car driving pass you going 80+ MPH! And PLEASE only use the left lane for passing, especially if it’s a two-lane highway. You’re going to be on the road for a while, let’s not add road rage into the mix…
Go Handsfree – We are so lucky that we live in a time where most cars have bluetooth capability. That means that you should NOT be texting (or Instagramming) while driving. Get a phone holder if you’re using the GPS. Call someone if you need to talk to them. Or get an Apple Watch if you have an iPhone. The talk-to-text compatibility on the Watch is pretty awesome and so helpful! Please be careful on the road, for your safety and the safety of others.
Downloadable – Before your trip, download playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, or whatever you are into! There is a chance that you will lose signal for radio stations or even phone service. Be prepared with something that will help pass the time. I finished two audiobooks on these trips! Also, use this time to reflect and just enjoy time with yourself. They say that the best ideas come out of boredom. I literally voice recorded this blog post on my last road trip and then got home, played it back and wrote it out!
Enjoy the Trip! – You’re on a freakin’ road trip! Hopefully you’re somewhere new and getting to experience and see new things. Before moving to Arizona, I had never been to West Texas and it’s so different! There is desert, mountains, and long stretches of land, definitely not what I’m used to. Also, had I had someone else with me, I probably would have made some pit stops and made day trips out of popular areas on my way. Marfa, TX – the place with the stand alone Prada store – was only an hour detour from my route. Marfa has been on my bucket list for forever and had I planned it better (or not in a hurry to get home), I probably would have gone.
I know that was a lot, but these are just a few things I’ve learned on my trips back and forth from Texas to Arizona. 12 hour trips are no easy feat. I hope these tips can make it at least a little better.
Have more tips you’d like to share? Comment them below!
XO, Mayra
Mayra
Mayra Herrera is the founder of Small Town Runaway. She has worked as a travel blogger since 2017, writing about different locations she has lived in or visited. On STR she talks about personal experience and gives honest reviews. Mayra's unique experiences and in-depth knowledge make her an invaluable resource for fellow travel enthusiasts.