If you want to plan an unforgettable road trip with friends, you won’t want to miss out on these 10 essential road trip tips. These 10 recommendations will ensure a fun and seamless road trip with your best friends and reduce the stress of the planning process.
We break down how to prepare for a road trip you’ll never forget, regardless of whether you decide to bring one friend or a whole group.
#1 PICK A DESTINATION
The first step to planning an unforgettable road trip with friends is deciding on a destination. Picking a final destination will allow you to strategically plan your route.
You can choose to take a few scenic backroads and settle on some key stopping points to hit along the way.
Write down these stopping points and take note of gas stations or rest stops along your route. To make this process easier, I suggest writing these places down and using a travel journal to keep all of your brainstorming in one place.
Choosing a final destination will help you plan how much time you need and how much time you can spend exploring different locations as you go.
Discuss possible road trip destinations with your friends before making a final decision. Choose a spot that satisfies everyone to avoid unnecessary conflict and to guarantee a smooth travel experience with your friends.
#2 BE SPONTANEOUS ALONG YOUR ROUTE
Now that you’ve decided on a final destination, remember this is a road trip. The goal is to explore, to discover new places, and to make memories. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous.
Even though you should choose a few fun spots to visit along your route, have fun and make a few random stops as you drive to your final road trip destination.
Half the fun of a road trip is finding unexpected places to stop. Make an effort to explore small towns or discover picturesque locations as you go. This is when you’ll make the most unforgettable memories with your friends. Don’t forget to capture these unforgettable moments with a polaroid camera to remember your experience and frame when you get home.
The more you allow yourself to explore and be spontaneous, the more fun you’ll have. That means, you need to be flexible and relaxed with your itinerary and have friends who will do the same.
#3 MAKE A PLAYLIST
The next step to plan an unforgettable road trip with friends is making an epic playlist. Have your friends send you their favorite songs and compile them together to create a fun playlist.
Include a variety of artists and combine both upbeat and chill songs you and your friends can jam out to.
Make sure to download your playlist before you go and bring an aux cord if your car doesn’t have Bluetooth. You may also want to bring a speaker in case you decide to hike or picnic during one of your stops.
#4 PACK LOTS OF SNACKS FOR THE ROAD
If you want to avoid tons of unnecessary stops for food, make sure to pack snacks before you go. You can use a snack organizer that hooks onto the back of your seat or a small cooler container to make packing food for your road trip easier.
Grab an array of healthy snacks for you and your friends to munch on during your road trip. You can even stop and picnic somewhere scenic if you plan ahead.
#5 WEAR COMFORTABLE AND VERSATILE CLOTHING
Let’s be honest, sitting in a car for hours on end isn’t the most comfortable experience.
But when traveling to new places with friends, plan to take lots of pictures. You’ll want to remember those fascinating towns you stumble upon or scenic overlooks you drive by.
Wear comfortable clothes that still bring out your confidence in pictures or while dining out at a charming restaurant. A cozy sweater or a crewneck and leggings always guarantees comfort and style. Make sure you don’t forget your sunglasses either.
Lastly, make sure to layer your clothing to avoid becoming too hot or too cold during your drive.
#6 START YOUR ROAD TRIP EARLY
If you want to make the most of your road trip you need to start early. Get ahead of mid-morning traffic and give yourselves plenty of time to relax and explore new places along the way.
The more time you give yourselves, the more spontaneous you can be. Starting early will help you and your friends make the most of your road trip experience.
#7 TAKE TURNS DRIVING
Another tip to plan an unforgettable road trip with friends is to take turns driving. Driving can cause fatigue from constantly being on alert.
Take breaks to stay safe. Split up your road trip with different drivers to let your eyes and your brain rest. Taking turns will let you all fully relax during your drive and fully enjoy the scenic views along the way.
#8 BRING EXTRA CASH
Spontaneity is a necessary part of an unforgettable road trip with friends. You may end up at random rest stops, parks, shopping centers, or restaurants that don’t take a card as payment.
In that case, come prepared. Avoid borrowing money from your friends. Bring a bit of extra cash for any souvenirs or activities along the way just in case.
#9 BRING A CAR CHARGER AND PHONE HOLDER
Don’t leave home without these two products. They are two travel essentials that will make your road trip easier.
Fighting over a phone charger is a quick and easy way to cause conflict while on a road trip with friends. Not to mention, a long day of playing music and mapping your route can quickly drain your phone battery.
To avoid conflict over the charger and to stay safe, bring multiple car chargers for you and your friends. That includes one for the driver who’s mapping the route and a back-up portable charging pack if your car doesn’t have multiple charging ports.
A charged phone is necessary while road tripping. It’s essential in the case of an emergency and also allows you to look up new spots to stop along your route.
You should also bring a phone holder to mount your phone. This way you can safely see your navigation map as you drive.
#10 SAVE YOUR ROUTE BEFORE YOU GO
Another key tip to plan an unforgettable road trip with friends is to save a map of your route before you go. This will keep you safe and make navigation easier.
During your road trip, it’s likely that more scenic paths will have poor cellphone signal. Save your route before you go for seamless navigation and to avoid re-routing constantly throughout your road trip.