Summer is almost here and, while flying is more accessible than it was last summer, an old-fashion road trip could be the easiest way for you to get out of town. Whether you are going near or far, there are many benefits of driving instead of flying and we love the ability to spontaneously hit the road whenever the wanderlust calls. So turn your GPS on, roll the windows down, and cue up Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again” as we share some of our favorite Road Trip Rituals.

Start With A Treat

Whether your road trip is 2 hours or 2 days, we love starting our drive time with a special treat! For a drive with an early start, rewarding yourself with a quick, but filling, breakfast can be the best way to fuel up for a trip. Our personal favorite quick breakfast is a Chick-fil-a Chicken Biscuit. If your trip is starting later in the day, fight any potential sleepiness with a caffeine boost. We love a good iced Dirty Chai in the summer!

Map Out Your Trip

If you have ever consistently road tripped to any one specific spot you probably have your go-to stops. But if you are a newbie road-tripper or if you are going to a new place, consider mapping out your route. This is a helpful tip to find the best places to stop, new restaurants and coffee shops to try, or an exciting roadside attraction you won’t want to miss! Roadside America is a great resource for checking out uniquely odd tourist attractions all across America. This tip will also make sure that you know where to stop for gas, decreasing your chance of running out. Another bonus is that it will help you make sure that you are getting out and walk around so you can stay fully awake and alert!

Prep Your Playlist

A fun tradition that we love is prepping a road trip specific playlist. Create a playlist that features artists from the states you are driving through or songs about the cities you will be visiting. Maybe you are headed to Dallas, Texas so your playlist will feature Demi Lovato and “All My Exes Live In Texas” by George Strait. Or if you are headed to Chicago, throw in some Earth, Wind, & Fire and “Homecoming” by Kanye West. It is so fun to have an eclectic playlist that will always remind you of the road trip in the years to come.

Need a different type of entertainment on your road trip? We are huge fans of audiobooks and podcasts! Some of our recent favorites are “Green Lights” by Matthew McConaughey, “Elenor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman, and season one of Serial.

Take The Road Less Traveled

While we love getting to a place sooner than later, sometimes it is worth it to take the road less traveled. Some of our favorite trips have been when we have gotten off the beaten path for the scenic route. From beautiful farmland and hole-in-the-wall BBQ to tiny mountain towns and authentic Mexican tacos, you never know what hidden gems you might find! Especially in the summer, lots of smaller highways can have roadside stands selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, and other farm goods. Not only is it a great way to shop local, but it is also a great place for those classic Instagram-worthy shots!

Make It Special

One thing that helps us get excited for a road trip is the special things that we save specifically for them. Maybe your road trip is the only time that you stop and get a Coke Icee or you only listen to a specific podcast when you are going on a long drive. Another special thing could be that you get a car wash and vacuum your car or that you will make a specific stop along the way. Whatever it may be, creating those special moments will not only help get you excited for your trip but will help you form your own road trip rituals!

Wherever you are headed this summer, we wish you safe travels and happy trails!

Take Heart. Take Flight.

-Travel Patterns Team