Here are a few mistakes every new road-tripper makes at least once!
Road trips are an excellent way to explore the country. If you’re new to road-tripping, look for the common mistakes every newbie makes. It’s okay, we’ve all made them a time or two!
Mistakes Every New Road-Tripper Makes
If you play your cards right after your first road trip, you’ll be hooked on road-tripping for life. Road trips are an excellent time for exploration and unique experiences. But if you don’t plan accordingly, your trip could run amuck quickly. Here are some of the top mistakes every new road tripper makes. Consider these before you hit the open road for a successful trip.
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#1 Mistake: Skipping A Tune-Up
If you’ve never taken a road trip before, you may not know the feeling of ending up on the side of the road in an unfamiliar town with car troubles. Preparing your car with some preventative maintenance before your trip is the best way to keep yourself and your passengers from having this experience. And, don’t forget to put air in your tires – or at least check them for air pressure.
#2 Mistake: Not Curating The Perfect Playlist
Don’t underestimate the value of entertainment on long drives. Fumbling with your phone on the road is unsafe, regardless of how far you’re going, so make sure you prep it before you leave. Curating a playlist specifically for your trip can make the drive even more exciting, so find music that correlates to the journey you’re embarking on.
#3 Mistake: Forgetting the Good Snacks
Healthy snacks will provide you with plenty of road trip energy—but don’t forget a couple of guilty pleasure snacks. Once you’re in the car, you won’t want to stop, and once you’re tired of eating carrot sticks and almonds, you’re going to wish you had a bag of chips. Don’t skip the healthy snacks altogether, but consider bringing a few of your favorites along, too.
Top Guilty Pleasure Road Trip Snacks
- M&Ms
- Pringles
- Sour Candies
- Combos
- Cheese Crackers
- Juicy Fruit Gum
#4 Mistake: Overplanning Or Under-Planning
Too much planning leaves zero wiggle room for mistakes or spontaneity. If you take a wrong turn, you may miss one of your planned attractions, or you may be so committed to the schedule that you can’t make room for unexpected attractions.
However, under-planning can cause just as much trouble. Create a basic idea of a few things you’d like to do to make your trip more fun and memorable.
#5 Mistake: Failing To Do the Research
Today’s travelers have the luxury of plugging a phone GPS in and hitting the road. However, you should do a little research before just trusting your phone’s GPS. Check for alternative routes, construction, and everyday traffic patterns before committing to the path your phone suggests.
Road-tripping requires much more than finding a destination and hopping on the interstate. Look at these mistakes every new road-tripper makes before planning your first adventure.
Don’t make these mistakes every new road-tripper makes!