Humans are habitual and, at heart, homebodies. If you find that you keep sticking within the same close or familiar circles when you travel, it’ll take more effort to expand your horizons. Going farther has never been easier, especially when you can get certified pre-owned vehicles to take your road trips to the next level. If you prefer to travel with a group, road trips are much more economical—and can be a lot more fun. You get to be in total control and take as many side trips as you’d like. With new inventory always available, you’re sure to find just the right ride for your next outing. Now that transportation is taken care of, it’s time to expand your travel plans.
Here are a few ways to go farther the next time you plan a getaway:
- Switch up who drives. One of the perks of road tripping is that all of the legal drivers can take a turn behind the wheel. If your goal is distance, map out a drive-sharing calendar. Some drivers might enjoy being behind the wheel more than others, and you’ll likely have a mix of night owls and morning people. Take advantage of the variety you have in the car. At the same time, you’ll want to make your ride as comfy as possible. Packing travel pillows (or full-sized pillows!), sleep masks, or springing for shades or window tinting can turn your vehicle into a moving B&B.
- Choose an app that takes construction work and detours into consideration. Not all GPS systems and maps are updated in real time, which means you could get stuck in some serious rush hour traffic or construction zones. You’ll want an app that has real-time information available, such as Google Maps, to ensure you don’t waste time stuck in traffic. If you’re going through a major metro, traveling at peak off-times (late at night or very early in the morning) can help you avoid standard rush hour traffic.
- Car camp. If being frugal is part of the reason you don’t travel far, having the right travel vehicle can help in this regard, too. Car camping is completely legal in many states, and if you have a comfortable car, you can easily pull over to catch a power nap. You can combine car camping with regular camping to save money on hotels, too. Traveling with a group means you can also take advantage of platforms like Airbnb. Many hosts don’t charge extra for guests up to a certain amount.
- Keep your travel schedule light. One of the perks of a road trip is that you can easily pull over and maximize all of those roadside attractions. However, you’ll want to keep these diversions to a minimum. They can be a major time suck, sometimes a waste of money, and can easily keep you from going the distance. One per day is a light enough load that you can stretch your legs, see something new, and get right back on the road. Keep these side trips a short distance away from the highway to minimize commute time.
- Take advantage of other forms of transportation when you can. It might be prudent to use your car for part of the trip, then switch to a plane, train, or seafaring ship for another leg. As you’re mapping out your vacation, get creative and remember that depending on the part of the country you’re traveling in, you might need to switch up modes of transport.
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Think about food: eating is important. It is important to make meal breaks. Choose places where you can take a break, eat and just relax with a cup of tea or coffee. An option may be to download restaurant reservation software. With it, you will be able to not only to find a great restaurant or cafe along your journey, but also read reviews, explore the menu and prices and get a clear info about the establishment and it’s contact information. What is more, you can book a table in advance too. Equally important is to stock up on snacks such as cookies, sweets, water, health bars and others. These will tide you over until it’s time to break for a proper meal.
Traveling isn’t always about seeing how far you can go, but if you find yourself traveling in the same circles over and over, it’s time to challenge yourself. Tackling distance is one way to shake up your travel routine and see some new sights. It can also help to rally together with others to plan a road trip. Collaborating can bring forth new ideas and destinations. Plus, when you can share the driving duties, suddenly you have an entirely new type of adventure at your fingertips.
Author Bio: Trevor is a freelance writer and a self-proclaimed “Travelholic”. He enjoys traveling to parts unknown, sampling local cuisines, and sharing his experiences with the world. In his free time, you can find him planning his next trip or outside enjoying about any type of fitness activity imaginable.
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