It was May 23, 1903, when two people set out on the nation’s first completed cross-country drive from San Francisco to New York City. Since then, families, friends, and individuals have racked up millions and millions of miles traveling across the country. It seems that the only way to fully grasp the rolling hills, open plains, and mountain ranges of the North American landscape is to get in the car and drive on a weekend trip or multi-week adventure.
Have you ever dreamed of “vanlife,” visiting every state, or even exploring all 62 national parks? I know I have. Life gets in the way, I know! With school just starting, going coast-to-coast might not be practical. But, you don’t need for your road trip dreams to take a back seat. You don’t need to go on a large-scale trek across the country to get a healthy break from the house. Get in one last summer memory or take a “sick” day for the perfect weekend trip.
[convertkit form=5279526]Picking a Weekend Trip Destination:
First, you’ll need to pick your route and decide on a destination. You can go anywhere in the United States, but you want to develop criteria for this decision. What type of vistas do you want to see? What food do you want to have? What temperature are you looking to be in? Make a list of your requisites for the destination then start to search for your ideal locations, instead of blindly picking a spot based on a review. If it’s a weekend trip, you need to be realistic about how far you will drive. You don’t want to spend most of your weekend driving to and from your destination. Be sure to keep that in mind when you’re narrowing down your choices!
Here is an article with a ton of affordable weekend trips. How does a road trip exploring the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” sound? Or driving along the Appalachian Mountains or seeing the first spot of the sunrise in the United States? From Wisconsin to Virginia to Maine, you’ll be able to find an adventure that’s inexpensive, quick, and doesn’t lack in experiences.
Planning and Packing Tips:
Picking the destination is essential, yes, but so is planning the trip to get there. Road trips are unique in that the journey is more important than the final location. You need to adjust expectations going into a weekend trip. It won’t be all laughs, good tunes, and the open road. You’ll be spending most of your time in the car for better or for worse. Let’s make it for the better by planning. Here are some weekend trip tips:
- Pull-off stops are the most memorable. The “oh-em-gee!” moments won’t be clearly marked. There won’t be signs to the beach or museum or hiking trail. Instead, there are hidden gem pull-offs that’ll make your road trip memorable. Passengers should take in the window views, and if they see something interesting, stop and explore! You never know what hidden beauty you might stumble upon if you decide to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Only stop if it’s safe to do so!
- Use Your Imagination. Your car could just be your car, or it can be a super-sonic spaceship. Dream big on your road trip and entertain those fantasies as you travel. Hours on the road can be draining, but if you bring an imaginative perspective, the ordinary can be amazing. Before you set out, set the scene for your weekend trip by starting a really creative narrative. Maybe you are on the hunt for leprechauns or on a top-secret mission, whatever it is have fun with it!
- You can never have too much entertainment. Avoid “are we there yet?!” questions and kicks in the back of the seat from angry passengers by packing plenty of goodies and entertainment. Traditional road trip games can get boring quickly. When they get bored of I SPY and Bingo, try out this bumpy car doodle contest instead. It makes a game out of the bumpy roads by seeing who has the steadiest hand when doodling. It’s basically a bumpy Pictionary!
- Capture the laughs along the way. There will be highs and lows during your weekend trip. Literally, you’ll hit low gas and wonder why you decided to venture out of the house anyway. But when your family is laughing, you’ll remember why going on an adventure is so essential. Remember the laughs along the way. Try this bumper sticker scrapbook printable to document the funniest, most inspiring, most shocking bumper stickers along the way. Bonus points if you find a car with a funny bumper sticker and license plate!
- Stop and stretch. Taking plenty of pit stops on your weekend road trip is essential. Breaking up your trips into shorter parts will help with your stress levels and prevent you from feeling stiff when you get out of the car. Every two or three hours, find a parking lot and let it out. Scream, run, sing, get a snack, or whatever you need to find some road trip relief!
- Don’t pack a lot of clothing. You won’t be going to really fancy dinners on the road. It’s mostly take-out meals, so save your dresses or suit jackets for another trip. Pack only what you know you are going to wear. That rule of thumb is true for any vacation, but especially on a weekend road trip. You also want to pack for comfort. If you are wearing uncomfortable shoes or constricting clothing that makes it unpleasant to sit for a long time, then change your outfit. Loungewear sets, leggings, jeans, and casual tees are your best bet.
- Optimize the space. Packing is an art, and packing smart will be the difference between having a suitcase on your lap for hours or plenty of legroom. You’ll want to pack in the order you need the things you’ve packed. Especially on the road, you’ll often grab stuff out of bags. If you plan ahead and think about what you might need earlier on the trip versus what can be stored away for later, then shuffling through the bags will be a breeze.
- Safety first. Spending a lot of time behind the wheel might dull your senses (and slow your reaction time). Be safe and alert at all times. Wear a seat belt and drive the speed limit. Nothing will ruin your trip more than getting into an accident. So, abide by the rules of the road and take precautions. If you know you get tired driving at night, then pull-off and take a nap or switch drivers. Don’t feel the pressure of driving for long periods of hours for the sake of getting to your destination. Instead, take it slow and use common sense when you are out on the road. Don’t forget my advice about not trying to go too far on your weekend trip!
Getting in the right headspace:
You’ve picked a route, planned for the trip, now it’s time to get excited! Too often do we let worry take control leading up to and during the first days of a vacation. If it’s a weekend trip, you might spend the whole time worrying!
Try and get in the right headspace for this trip. Whatever that looks like for you, do it the night before. If that’s having a conversation with your fellow travelers about what you are hoping to get out of the trip, start that conversation. If it’s meditating and clearing out emotional stressors, then do that before you hit the road. If it’s creating a road trip bucket list, then get a sheet of paper and some tape and post it on your window as a reminder on the road.
Feel good about the adventure ahead, and get excited about it! This exercise will help you be present and make the most of your weekend.
You’ll want to leave any emotional worry or baggage at home. Take some comfort that this short road trip will give you the space you need to return reenergized for whatever work is ahead. Whether that be working remotely or taking care of kids while they learn from home, this weekend trip will fuel you for the months ahead.
Get on the Road it’s Weekend Trip Time!
You are officially ready to turn on the ignition and get going! When you set out for a road trip, you are following a tradition. You get to see the country in a different lens than when you are on a plane. You can fully immerse yourself in the diverse landscape that the United States has to offer… if you plan ahead!
Follow the above tips to ensure a happy group when on the road. Most importantly, make the most of it. Road trips are one of the only safe things we can do during the pandemic, so enjoy the time outside of the house and with your loved ones. Remember that based on what states you visited, you might have to do a 14-day at-home quarantine. If that’s the case, check out my Acts of Kindness article on how to spread joy while at home.
Remember to take pictures and document your unforgettable trip. As we have seen in this pandemic, traveling is a privilege that we often take for granted. In thirty years from now, you might stumble upon a picture and say, “This was during COVID-19 and we were able to safely go on this incredible road trip adventure to X”!
Have fun and stay safe!
Tootles,
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