The Long Road Home
This weekend, I was stuck in a car with my best friend for a combined total of 24 hours.
Stuck might not be the right word, but when you’re driving for 12 hours straight, you start to feel that way. Since many Ramblers are making it home for the holidays (just two weeks away!) and some will be driving, here’s some helpful tips that I’ve learned from my recent road trip escapade that will help you get through yours.
1. Make a playlist.
Ask whomever you’re going to be with what kind of music they like, and make a huge playlist with all your favorite songs. The bigger the playlist, the less songs will get repeated, and the more fun it’ll be. The playlist for my recent travels, adequately named “Road Trip” consisted of 590 songs. Jam sessions got really fun because it would go from The Breakfast Club soundtrack to Kanye’s latest release.
2. Bring a map.
This might sound a little hypocritical coming from someone that cannot really even read a map correctly 86% of the time, but you never know when your GPS could quit on you, whether it’s an actual GPS device or the maps app on your phone. If you’re adamant about not carrying around a map of the US with you, then at least write out the step by step directions incase your device dies and doesn’t turn on for a bit.
3. Plan out your trip.
Does your trip allow you to cut through cities or states you’ve never been to? Take that route! Even if you’re just passing through, it’s nice to see a glimpse of a city you’ve never been to!
4. Bring snacks.
Eating out is expensive, and even the quick stops at McDonald’s add up. Bring your favorite (nonperishable) snacks with you to save yourself some money, which as a college student is always a good idea. Stock up on things like pop and chips so you don’t have to pay the extra at gas station when you stop.
5. Have fun!
The more that you make the drive, the more fun it’ll be. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take naps or tone down the random dancing to your playlist from time to time, but if you go into it grumbling about the length of the drive then it’s not going to be as fun as it could be! Find someone going to the same city or even a few cities over as you, buddy up, and have some adventures! It’s a lot more fun when you’re not alone, the trip can get tedious even for someone who LOVES to drive.
I hope everyone has safe travels back to Loyola this weekend, and that they aren’t as tedious and awful as they could be. Happy road tripping!