Travel

How to Have the Road Trip of a Lifetime

Why not make your next vacation a road one? Here are a few essential tips and apps to make the ride a smooth one.

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Hit Some of the Same Highlights as the Novel

How to Have the Road Trip of a LifetimeIf your planned route will take you to some of the same spots that were featured in Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road,” try to experience a few of the same activities as the characters in the book/movie.

If you end up in the mile-high city, pretend you are Sal Paradise for an afternoon and enjoy a baseball game at Coors Field. If you happen to come across a neighborhood pickup game while you are in Denver, you can stop to watch it too — just as Sal did. Now that sounds truly script-worthy!

Enjoy Yourself!

The best way to get the most out of a cross-country road trip is to slow down and take your time. Just like the main protagonists did in Kerouac’s book, a road trip should not involve seeing how long you can be behind the wheel before your eyes begin to glaze over. A road trip is not about where you are going, but how you are getting there; this means it’s okay to spend a few hours lingering over strawberry shortcake and coffee at a roadside diner, and stopping to check out the world’s largest ball of string or hugest frying pan. It’s amazing how much more you will see when you’re not in a hurry.

Want more? Check out these great American road trip destinations, and here are some more great products for your next road trip:

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Avatar of Hilary Rowland

A writer, artist, and designer since she was young enough to put pencil to paper, Hilary taught herself code and created Urbanette when she was a teenager. Currently, she lives in Monte Carlo, but spent the past decade living in NYC, still considers herself a New Yorker, and visits regularly. She's always traveling, looking for hot new topics, destinations, and life hacks to bring to Urbanette readers.

Reader Discussion: 117 Comments

  1. Avatar of Jonathon Swift

    Jonathon Swift

    If you are thinking about gas stations, and restaurants along toll roads, some U.S. interstate toll roads, such as the Ohio, and Pennsylvania Turnpikes, do have gasoline stations, and restaurants directly on the freeway. You don’t have to exit the toll road and pay the tolls if you don’t want to do. There’s usually a bigger selection of gasoline stations and restaurants, and likely cheaper prices, off the toll road, especially at major intersections.

  2. Avatar of Maryann Smith

    Maryann Smith

    North America has had a big car culture since the 1950’s. Driving the open road is “the” experience, and that includes stopping in all the cheesy attractions along the way!!! Not my cup of tea, but you sure do make it sound fun 🙂

  3. Avatar of Jossen Row

    Jossen Row

    I always check the engine before going for a long trip. I also bring a spare tire, so whenever something happens on my tire, I have spare for it.

    • Avatar of Joe Root

      Joe Root

      You should always have a spare tire at the back of your car. It’s a must.

  4. Avatar of Jodi Thil

    Jodi Thil

    Let us hit the road now! I want to try these applications that Urbanette gave to us. What do you think? Are they worth downloading, or if they are paid apps, are they worth buying for?

  5. Avatar of Joss Butler

    Joss Butler

    I really want to do road trips, but the problem is I can’t stay awake for too long. I would be asleep in the middle of the trip.

  6. Avatar of Osana Smith

    Osana Smith

    Once I forgot to bring my hygiene travel kit, and the hotel doesn’t give complimentary hygiene kit. I have to buy it from a convenience store which is too far from the hotel. The lesson has been learned.

  7. Avatar of Candis Melton

    Candis Melton

    MY way of easing my stress is hitting the road with my love. Even if it’s just for a weekend. Simple, yet you are satisfied.

  8. Avatar of Steev Smith

    Steev Smith

    PackPoint is a great app. I am using it in my travels, and it gives me the right stuff I need on my trips. I am happy with it, so I suggest you download it.

  9. Avatar of Wilma Moore

    Wilma Moore

    I will test my boyfriend next week. I invited him to visit my mom in Boston, and he said that he will drive for me. I’m thinking of some tests on the road. Ha!

  10. Avatar of Josephine Murphy

    The longest trip that I ever had is the 8 hours drive. I am not the driver, I’m just a passenger because I would be exhausted in just a 2 hours drive, and what more on 8 hours, right?

    • Avatar of Helena Lowson

      Helena Lowson

      ALways think to relax and even take a nap if needed when you’re driving long distance. Every two hours is good, and remember to eat light but enough also 🙂

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