4 Things that one must have on a Road Trip

If you’ve never been on a road trip, you’re missing out. It’s nothing like waiting thirty minutes for traffic to move an inch on your local highway. It’s a constant, ever flowing, and yes, a slow mode of travel – but it’s a load of fun! You get to see the countryside, city side, road kill, and the colorful rest stops that bless the road and its riders. And if you are going on long stretches then this list should be part of the must-haves to bring along with you. They may be subjective but these are pretty much universal things that should entertain and succor the driver and passengers.

Twizzlers (or your favorite candy/munchie)

image by Erica_Marshall

I personally like to take with me a bag of these strawberry-strawesque munchables when I travel by car. Not sure if I’m fulfilling my oral fixation or I’m keeping my mind entertained, whatever it is, these guys disappear quickly, and they do make time fly. What I’ve learned is that if you keep your mind hooked to a consistent drizzle of endorphin-inducing candy you will be concentrating more on the road than about how boring and sleepy the road can make you feel.

A Cooler (and not for your beer)

image by wine me up

Hours of traversing Florida flat lands will make you thirsty. So what do you do? Go to the next gas station or rest stop? No, that’s a rookie move. You’re gonna want to bring your favorite cooler to house your apple juice boxes, premade kool-aid, soda pop, or boring water. It’s a refreshing feeling to know that sustenance is only a car seat away…you can also store your ham and cheese sandwiches (I blew your mind in this one, didn’t I?).

Audio Book / MP3 / MP4 / iPod

image by angie k

The radio can go so far. You’ll quickly find how frustrating it is to be looking for the newest Radio Station when you’re entering different cities. To avoid this Hide n’ Seek game it is advisable to come equipped with a music player that holds your favorite Crunking tunes.

What I like to do after I cut-a-rug on my car seat is to get lost in a dramatic retelling of the latest suspense novel. Audio books are an ideal pastime to let time slip away.

Coffee

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I’m sure for those who who love Java and road trips this particular item is a must-have. What I like to do when I’m barreling a cruise-controlled-80MPH is to sip my hot coffee, then once I’m done, eat several Twizzlers, grab my water from the cooler – sip it, not gulp (you’ll see why from the item below)— and then break open the espresso shot can.

Road trips may offer an opportunity to feed the coffee-need. But be wary! If you consume too much, you’ll probably be wired during bedtime, so tread softly.

And for those folks that don’t enjoy a cup-of-Joe then let me suggest anything that has caffeine – stock up on that junk — caffeine’s good for the brain.

Cup to P… In

image by laura padgett

For those hardcore drivers out there this one is for you. I’m sure you’ve done it…I have!

You’ve been driving for 3 hours and you’re in the groove now. You’re bladder is getting to feel like someone’s blowing a balloon in there, but you don’t want to waste time stopping. So you see that empty cup in the passenger side, looking, all of a sudden, very practical. All you need to do from there is adjust your seating, unzip and relieve.

“Holding it” is not good for the bladder and it will probably lead to a speeding ticket; so it’s best to just ease off on the gas and break out the SOLO cup. Girls will have a particular harder time in this endeavor but it can be done – I’ve seen it.

Warning: don’t do this on a bad road, the car will undoubtedly smell like piss.

And if you have any to add, please comment away!