Anytime is a good time for a road trip. After all, who doesn’t love speeding hours in the car singing at the top of their lungs with friends or giggling at the ridiculous billboards they just passed? From sketchy gas stations to delicious local eateries, there is just something charming about traveling by car, and the choice to hit the road instead of taking to the air can really enhance your next trip.
That said, there are definitely some things you should know before heading out onto the open road. Below we have gathered five of our favorite tips and tricks for traveling by car. We hope these little nuggets of wisdom help you get the most out of your next big road trip.
Rent a Car
Many older cars simply aren’t road trip worthy. However, this doesn’t mean you have to stay home. Instead, rent a shiny new car for a week or two and use that to see the USA. Whether you decide to use one of the bigger rental agencies or a smaller, peer-to-peer option such as Turo, you are sure to be happy you rented so you can travel without worry of what your personal car will decide to do next.
Make it a Camping Trip
Camping is one of the very best ways to truly immerse yourself in the beauty of our country. If you’d like to spend some time reconnecting with nature during your road trip, but don’t want to sleep in a tent, never fear. There are several RV rental companies cropping up in the sharing economy that allow people just like you to rent clean and comfortable little homes on wheels. Check out Outdoorsy and RVshare to learn more about this fantastic option.
Take Your Time
Half the fun of a road trip is in the journey. For this reason, we highly recommend taking your time along the way. Seek out silly roadside attractions such as the “world’s biggest” anything, ridiculous museums, and kitschy shops. Skip the fast food and opt for a local eatery, and make time to stop and look at the gorgeous views along the way. Plan to drive 5-6 hours a day and leave the rest of the day for exploring.
This slower travel style will probably mean finding lodging along the way. If you are traveling by car, we recommend Couchsurfing for this purpose. Those who are traveling with an RV can stay at many Walmart stores, rest stops, Cracker Barrels, and camping stores. Just be sure to ask before you stay.
Chat With the Locals
Meeting locals is the very best way to find the tastiest food and most fun attractions in any given area. Fortunately, when you have a car this is incredibly easy to do. Head to the park and start chatting or use a service like Meal Sharing which will allow you to share a meal with a local family, giving you plenty of time to talk about the area.
Book ParkingÂ
If you will be heading to a big city such as Chicago, you will have to deal with parking that handy car. Fortunately, there are many parking options in every city if you know where to find them. By using ParqEx to book parking in advance, you can avoid the stress of driving through an unfamiliar place without a specific destination in mind. Additionally, you can rest easy knowing you are getting the very best price available.
Want to learn more about using ParqEx to improve your next road trip experience? Please contact us today. We are always happy to help however we can.
