Welcome to my ultimate road trip guide. These road trip tips and tricks will elevate your next long car ride while saving you time and money. Over the years I’ve driven all around the country: coast to coast and everywhere in between, so I know the ins and outs of planning a successful road trip. From road trip essentials to planning the best road trip route, this guide has it all. After reading all of these travel hacks, you may actually find yourself looking forward to your time behind the wheel. Without further ado, let’s hit the road…

Road Trip Essentials and Travel Tips

In this guide, I’m going to cover how to be time efficient, save money, be conscious of the environment, and stay comfortable no matter how far you’re driving or who you’re driving with. My favorite is #14 in Stay Comfortable :).

Table of Stoke

• Save Time
• Save Money
• Stay Comfortable
• Steer Sustainably

How to Save Time on a Road Trip

1. Plan ahead.
   • Check multiple map apps to find the best route. I like using Google Maps and Waze.
2. Check traffic.
   • Google Maps allows you to check departure times before you leave so you can find the typically fastest time to travel. It’s better to wait something out than sit through it, especially when you already have a lot of time behind the wheel ahead of you.
3. Plan around major cities.
   • If you’re driving through major cities, you can find routes that avoid them entirely or the best time to drive through and avoid rush hour.
4. The early bird doesn’t necessarily get the worm.
   • Rush hour can be a tricky thing in some more populated areas. I’m from the SF Bay Area, and rush hour is pretty much 7-10 am and 3-7 pm. Starting early is usually always a good idea, but don’t waste time on the road while commuters are commuting. Either go before the rush or after.
5. Best days to travel.
   • Some days are much faster travel days than others. If your travel days are flexible, plan to be on the road on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and build out from there. Avoid Friday through Sunday if you can. There are more people on the road, which means higher chances for traffic and accidents.

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

1. Search along your route for gas.
   • Use the search tool on your map app to see gas prices along the route. You’ll be able to find cheaper options or stations closest to the highway.
2. Easy on the pedal.
   • Every time you hit the gas pedal, you’re spending money. If you’re in a stall, try taking it easy on the stop-and-start, even if that means letting someone into your lane.
3. Fill up tires ahead of time.
   • Full tires mean less gas is needed to move your car, which is a win for your wallet and the environment.
4. Pack a lunch.
   • If you’re traveling multiple days, bring a cooler and pack as many meals and snacks as you can.
5. Stay in hostels.
   • If your trip is over multiple days and you don’t have a bed in your car, consider booking a bed in a hostel to save money. I use Hostelworld to find cheap accommodation, and you can filter out places without parking. Motels are another great budget option that has parking.

Road Trip Essentials for Comfort

1. Exercise and stretch every day.
   • Whether it’s before, during, or after your drive, your mind and body are going to crave movement. Exercise stabilizes thoughts so your brain will be better able to handle long stretches on the road. If your trip is multiple days, schedule this in, and see if you find yourself looking forward to it! My favorite movements on the road are running, walking, surfing (if there’s a coast), and yoga.
2. Stretch at gas stations.
   • While you’re filling up your tank, shake out your arms and legs or go for a short walk.
3. Sit in a relaxing position 24/7.
   • If you feel your body holding tension from the steering wheel, sitting, reaching for the gas pedal, etc. This will result in discomfort later and decrease the longevity of your drive. We can subconsciously drift into a tense position if the drive is stressful, so just make sure you’re checking in with yourself and how you’re feeling. Notice the tension and release it by taking a few deep breaths and readjusting your position.
4. Use traffic as a time to relax.
   • Whenever I hit a bumper-to-bumper, I take it as an opportunity to release any tension I’m holding, readjust how I’m sitting, and stretch out a little. Traffic is one of the things in life we can’t control. Surrender to the situation and use it as an opportunity to relax and increase your longevity!
5. Avoid dodgy-looking gas stations.
   • Dodgy stations have dodgy facilities, and since I use gas stations as an opportunity to get some R&R, I want it to be in a place that is safe and sanitary. They also may not have windshield cleaner, water in the soda fountain, etc. I always keep my eye out for cheaper gas prices, but at some stations, you really get what you pay for.
6. Wipe down your windshield.
   • Most gas stations have windshield cleaner, and long road trips collect many view-blocking smudges on the windshield. It’s a good habit to clean it off most of the time you stop for gas, so you aren’t always fighting against dead bugs for a clear road view.
7. Use paper towels…
   • …to grab anything at gas stations/rest stops: door handles, gas station valves, windshield cleaners, etc. Do your best to prevent getting sick. Wash your hands whenever you can, and keep hand sanitizer in your car.
8. Don’t text and drive.
   • Have your phone on DND and answer your messages all at once when you’re taking a break.
9. Have a listening lineup.
   • Collect different things you can listen to for different vibes during the drive. If you only have one playlist on hand, you may doze off, get bored, or have to go on your phone to find a new listening thing, which can be dangerous. Some things on my lineup are podcasts, multiple playlists in different genres, people to call, silence, audiobooks, and stories in different languages that I’m learning.
10. Listen to audiobooks and podcasts.
    • As an ADHDer, I am way more likely to pay attention to a podcast when driving since my focus is on two things: the road and the podcast. When I’m not driving, I’m more likely to entertain surrounding distractions, which pulls my attention away from the podcast. I like listening to nonfiction on audiobook since the narrator is oftentimes the author, and it feels like an informative podcast rather than pure entertainment.
11. Have your maps talk.
    • I don’t know about you, but I like to have my map volume muted when I’m cruising around so I can listen to my music uninterrupted. Sometimes, this leads to having my map screen on, draining my battery, even when I have 200 more miles on the same road. Turn the volume on and put the phone away so you can think about other things and lower some screen time.
12. Charge your phone.
    • If you’re driving a long distance and relying on your phone for navigation and communication, especially if you’re solo road-tripping, you need a car charger.
13. Sun protection.
    • I’m a big sun protection advocate, which extends to the sun that shines through windows. I wear sunscreen on my hands since they’re constantly exposed to the sun on the steering wheel. I also like to wear a light-material pant, like linen, and have a light button-up or jacket to protect my arms if the sun is on them for a while. A sunburn is at the bottom of the list of things to deal with when you’re sitting still all day.
14. Walk on your lunch break.
    • My favorite way to spend lunch when I have a lot of driving to do is to walk and eat. Ideally, I’ll have a sandwich packed, but if not, I’ll get a handheld lunch like a burrito and go for a walk. Eating and walking normally isn’t ideal, but in this situation, it’s the best way to maximize your break. If you’re traveling with someone, you can use your walk to get a little recess from each other. Don’t bring any earbuds either, and let your brain just unravel. Walk around a strip mall if that’s all your surroundings offer, but take advantage of rest stops and nature-looking exits on the highway. Try this and let me know if it also changes your road trip game.
15. Hydrate the day before.
    • Hydration takes effect 24 hours after you drink water. The water you drank yesterday is the water that’s hydrating you today. Drinking a lot of water the day before exercising, spending time in the sun, or going for a long drive will keep you hydrated and prevent those excess bathroom breaks.
16. Space out caffeine consumption.
    • I find coffee to be most effective when I wait at least a few hours after drinking it. Sometimes, your brain needs a break from driving and some fresh air more than another drink that’ll just jazz you up.
17. Never use a drive-through.
    • Take this opportunity to get out of the car and stretch your legs. You might realize you need to use the bathroom or fill up your water bottle.
18. Don’t eat things that will upset your stomach.
    • Sitting in a car with an upset stomach is a situation you definitely want to avoid. Opt for healthier options at restaurants or visit grocery stores for more variety.

How to Make Your Road Trip More Sustainable

1. Bring your own water bottle and travel coffee mug!
   • You can fill up your water at most gas stations, and many coffee shops offer a discount on your drink if you bring in your own cup.
2. Drive around the speed limit.
   • Speed limits are mainly there for safety, but they also prevent us from using more fuel to drive at a faster pace. Driving faster burns more gas, which is bad for the environment, your gas mileage, and your wallet.
3. Get a windshield shade.
   • These keep your car cool, which is especially important in the summer months. You won’t have to crank the AC and waste energy whenever you get back to your car after it’s been baking in the sun.
4. Park in the shade.
   • This also keeps your car temperature regulated.
5. Windows down.
   • If the weather is nice and you aren’t on a highway, don’t be afraid to roll down those windows and let some fresh air in. This is a way better alternative to using heat or AC, especially if the weather allows it.
6. Bring your car in for its service.
   • Ideally, before you hit the road, so you don’t run into any system errors or, worse, get stranded somewhere and have to deal with insurance and delays and whatnot.
7. Consider your whip.
   • If you’re in the market for trading in your car or you’re renting a car for your road trip, consider an environmentally conscious car. Electric cars are wonderful if they’re being charged with renewable energy. Hybrid engines are great ways to cut down on gas use without needing to plug your car in.
8. Pack your own lunch.
   • If you’re traveling from a place with a kitchen, pack your own food to cut down on to-go packaging from restaurants.

Those are all of the road trip essentials and tips that I have for you today. For more travel tips, check out my travel blog posts here, and follow along with my latest adventures on Instagram! Save the link to this post to come back to when you need it, and share it with a friend who could use some road trip wisdom!

Let us know your favorite road trip tip in the comments!