Summer Road Trippin' //Ten Essentials For a Long Car Ride

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Planes and trains might get you to your final destination, but there’s just something so darn fun and alluring behind the idea of a road trip...especially with family. Summer is the season for spontaneous getaways, so there’s no better time to hit the road than right NOW. I love exploring old two lanes with my sweetheart but I also love hitting the road with my 16 year old daughter. I’ve personally taken my fair share of car trips up and down a stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma so today I wanted to share a few of the tricks I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a cross-country trek, (Hello me...as I will have started my 9,000 moto trek Northwest as you are reading this) these 10 tried-and-true tips will make your road trip that much better including a rad summer road trip playlist for you dame travelers.

Roll down the windows, crank up the tunes, and hit the highway.....

And what’s a long drive without some Willie?

You will have a chance to share your road trip this summer for a chance to win over $3,400 in gift card prize packs so make sure to catch the very bottom of the post for that!

I grew up taking road trips with my grandparents in RVs and spent summers exploring the lakes and all the great places New Mexico had to offer. Without fail, my grandpa would find some historical site or offbeat tourist attraction including the largest roadrunner in the world. I spent a lot of time at White Sands National Monument, Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, and Carlsbad Caverns. I mean when you get your first sand board at age 8...that was a huge deal! At the time I didn’t appreciate it, because I was a kid, but now I think back on all the fun times I had with them. These are some of the best summers I would ever have!

All though my grandparents might tell you a different version if the story. They remember my countless "Are we there yet's?!" And all the games I used to make them play like "slugbug" and "I spy." Anyone remember those?! There was a license plate game too but these details are a little fuzzy. Zoë likes to hunt for flags currently...and keep track of who can find the most flags. And we also have fun shuffling our playlists and having to guess the song names and artists but I love this because we take turns and she introduces me to new music and vice versa.

My grandpa Kelsey always said "We don’t drive anywhere Sam, we TRAVEL!” And it really resonates with me today now that I have my own family. You better believe I am carrying on this tradition in my life. On my road trips, I am always trying to figure out memorable stops along the way. I love searching for different things to explore. I also love to seize the moment and let myself be flexible with my travel plans. I might decide to stop and just see what is down the next town’s main street because let's face it...every town has a Main Street.

Sometimes when I explore a new area, I am always so surprised to land on a gem like this cute little lunch spot in the middle of the woods in Arkansas. ----Like seriously in the middle of the woods!! It was the cutest spot and I cannot wait go back.

So of course there are some things you need to prepare to make sure your road trip is as perfect as you imagined..(especially with a teenager. )

Here are my Essentials to bring along:

Audio Books/Music/Playlists: Since you're in for a long ride, pick out a couple audio books to to enjoy while you're in the driver's seat. Even if you're riding shotgun, listening to books can be preferable to the often-nauseating act of reading hard-copy literature in the car. And every road trip should include a rad playlist ( download mine at the end of the post)

Snacks and Beverages: Zoë and I love packing one savory snack, one sweet snack, and a yummy sip. Sometimes we do not have time to stop and it's nice to have things packed, especially for her. On a recent trip to Walmart we picked up some RITZ Crisp&Thins which are deliciously thin and oven baked to perfection. They also are 50% less fat per serving than the leading regular fried potato chips. And they are addictive! Zoë also spotted a Milka OREO King Size bar that she just had to have. But my oh my.... just imagine delicious OREO cookie pieces mixed in rich vanilla creme and coated in European Milka chocolate candy. Yeah..thank her later! We also love 7UP®. (talk about child hood memories) The 12oz 8pk is so convenient for long trips and they are the perfect pairing with the RITZ Crackers. I love that the bottles are small as I can never drink a whole one and you can reseal them – (insert praise hands emoji here) 7UP® is caffeine free too so no hyped-up kids in the car!

Wipes: If you find it a hassle to stop to wash up...wet wipes are a must! Also, instead of using deodorant, you can use them to freshen up your underarms too.

Maps: Don't totally rely on your GPS. Carry a real map with you so that even if your navigator breaks down, you'll at least have a physical map to fall back on.

Coins and Cash: Do not be unprepared on any toll roads. This happened to be before and it was a fiasco. Also always a good idea to have some cash on hand incase your credit card is compromised.

Car Emergency Kit: This will keep you prepared for anything that goes wrong. They contain must-have items such as jumper cables and a flashlight that works without batteries.

First Aid Kit: Keep a first aid kit with you in case you or any other passenger falls ill or gets injured.

Don’t forget your sunnies and SPF. Since you are road tripping in the sunny months, keep in mind that it is possible to get sunburnt through the car windows. Prevent an embarrassing sunburn on one side of your body by slathering on the SPF. And how annoying to forget you sunnies.

A list of important phone numbers written down: Soooo important incase your phone is no longer an option! You never know what can happen out there.

Camera: Never miss a moment!

Whether it is photos at a new place, a special game you play every trip, or stopping at historical sites–these traditions matter!

As a mom myself, I know a mom’s time is limited; but the small time taken will reap great rewards. I love knowing that I am helping my girl remember our family’s bonding times. Thanks so much grandpa for showing me how important this is. Just look at some the memories of my girl from a recent trip!