2 adults and 1 younger teen
We’re going on a two week road trip that’ll be fairly leisurely. Stopping by some parks and sights as we go and a few nights at our ultimate destination
I had my car recently serviced. It all checks out
I have a steam deck on the way! Any recommendations here for travel accessories? Or just in general?
We’ve all got devices and chargers and their respective blocks. I’m looking at a power inverter for the hungrier devices
I was debating bringing the oculus to give whomever a bit of isolation if they need; is there anything specific I’d need to do to use it where there’s no internet? I haven’t used it enough to be very familiar with most of its abilities
We adults have ps5s. Most likely won’t bring one. I’ve seen portable monitors that people use with a local device; does anyone have experience using one for remote play for the ps5?
And making sure we’ve got entertainment downloaded to our devices; obviously books and offline/non electronic entertainment will be brought, as well
I’m really looking forward to this and want to make it the best experience for all involved! I look forward to hearing your tips
Edit to add: the point of the road trip is to bury my grandfather. And I’m petrified of flying in the current state of the US
Since we HAVE to make this trip we’re trying to make the most of it by stopping by some state/national parks and other landmarks/pois during which we’ll be present. But there’s going to be LONG stretches of literally nothing exciting. Like corn fields. Many hours of corn fields. Most days are 6 - 10 hours in the car
One really fun road trip game I played was called “personal interview”. I don’t know if you two adults and teen are related, but just in case someone is interested, I’ll tell you how you play:
One person tells their life story. They can take as long as they’d like, and structure it however they want. When you’ve caught up with the present, everyone else in the car can ask them anything.
It’s sometimes a good idea to take a break in between people.
I don’t remember that much of the content of the interviews, but it was a lot of fun!
Find what kind of oil your car requires and get a quart of it to keep just in case. Also replace your windshield wipers and top up the windshield washer fluid. Check your tire pressure and make sure that the spare tire is in good condition. Basic car care goes a long way.
Good tip on the oil! Thank you, I’m adding it to my list! Probably some extra washer fluid; I know some stretches of that drive are very buggy
Sure thing and yes having extra washer fluid is a great idea too. A few other good things to keep in the vehicle is a good first aid kit, a phone bank charger and a survival kit of some sorts, including blanket,nonperishable food, flashlight and simple tool kit.
Do you have…snacks?
I can’t help but think that a toddler wrote this comment. As if to say, ‘If you don’t have snacks, then why go on the trip. And if you don’t have a good selection of snacks, I’m not going.’ xD
But in all seriousness, having healthy snacks like a few bananas, trail mix, plain or low salted nuts, and some deli meat sandwiches, all stored in a cool with 3-5 ice packs, is very wise.
… The entire post is asking for recommendations for planning a long trip, I’m not sure why you would immediately project all the extra baggage onto such a simple statement.
I would agree with others here that you are going overboard on the electronics. Bring a handheld device for the kid. Adults will get the most out of the trip watching the landscape go by and talking. Instead, I recommend thinking of some good audiobooks or podcasts to listen to. Then you have something shared to do when the conversation lulls, and can talk about it as another conversation.
Lots of people pack junk food snacks for road trips, like chips and soda. My experience is that even when I consumed these foods regularly, their availability on road trips would typically cause me to carb crash and feel nauseous for hours. Instead, drink water, and get a cooler. Pack the cooler with food to make a real lunch, like sandwiches or something. Put the cooler in the trunk so you arent tempted by it. When it is lunch time, pull over at a rest stop/ gas station/ park/ whatever and sit down outside for lunch together. Don’t snack in between meals.
When stopping for gas/ bathroom/ meals, take the opportinity to move around and exercise a little. Walk around, stretch, maybe do a quick jog or a few push ups. Really helps with fatigue and stiffness.
If you will be driving along some of the really long, straight roads in the American Southwest, watch out for highway hypnosis. This is where driving is just so repetitive and boring that you will rapidly fall asleep at the wheel.
As others have mentioned, have some basic tools for doing minor repairs. Tire pump, patch kit, and check to make sure you have a spare and it is inflated!!. Needlenose pliers for pulling nails out of tires and swapping fuses. An adjustable wrench in case you need to tighten your battery terminal. And, imo, gorrilla tape and bailing wire to fix body panels or plastic skid plates that start flapping in the breeze. If it is possible you will drive on dirt roads (especially in the southwest), I recommend packing an entrenching tool so you can dig yourself out of sand if you make a mistake and get in over your head. Tow straps are also good to have - if you get stuck in some sand or mud, flag down one of those big, lifted 4x4s and watch the owner light up with glee as they actually get to use their truck for its intended purpose for the first time in years.
Get a paper atlas, and pick up paper maps for any parks you’ll be checking out. If you will be getting off the major highways for a while, download the area on your maps app ahead of time.
Paper Atlas is a great mention. If you lose signal your maps app may quit. Happened to me. A gps only device like a Garmin (still sold today and can be gotten at places like Loves) won’t need an Internet connection.
Get a Justin Case for the car, and a bag of kitty litter in case you get stuck somewhere without traction.
Power bars and or protein bars - stock a case. Bring water containers and fill them at rest stops at fountains for free. Do not buy anything from the machines at rest stops. Every time you stop for a bathroom break adds 30 minutes or more to your destination time. Caffeine pills instead of coffee stops if you’re on a budget. Go to roadside America ( dot com ) to see if you will pass worthy places like the world’s biggest pencil.
One small note about the car “checking out” and five separate bullet points about technology and entertainment… Bring food, drinks, something to keep everything cold, comfortable clothes. And please leave the VR headset out of the family bonding experience 😭 to think I used to get chastised for wearing an earbud during road trips.
Prepare for failure and you’ll do okay.
I’m seconding the other person - lay off the tech!
What’s the point of doing a massive road trip if you’re all going to be glued to a screen of some sort?
Take some books as they work without any reception, have you read any books about road trips? The most obvious one would be On The Road by Jack Kerouac.
How are you mechanically? Can you change a tyre? If not have you got breakdown cover?
I drive from UK - Spain twice a year. I tend to drive for 4 hours each day. I know I could do that trip loads faster but I prefer to do it and relax.
Tunes for when driving and then either read a book or watch something on the downtime
Since tech seems to be what people are focusing on and not actual advice, the point of the trip is to bury my grandfather. I am fearful to fly in the US currently. We have to make this trip so we’re making it as enjoyable as possible. I didn’t feel like including that in the post because I didn’t feel it was actually relevant
There’s literally no point in taking the trip if you’re just going to play video games the whole time.
Too much of one thing is just not entertaining.
And you can’t lump everyone into the same type of behaviour.
And some children don’t get any value from driving around. Never heard or spoke the words “Are we there yet?!” ???Then there’s no point in the trip.
Do you even know the goal of the trip?
Maybe only the destination is of importanceThank you. Yes, the point is to go bury my grandfather. I didn’t want to include that but fuck me for trying to get advice for a long trip. I did not think I’d be torn apart for “not being one with nature” for 50 hours
But sincerely, thank you for actually thinking for yourself ♥️
Edit: ok, torn apart is a bit of a stretch but I wish that wasn’t what people focused on
No no, you were basically chewed out.
And it grinds my gears if someone doesnt amswer the actual question and instead interprets it as something else and/or projects themselve on your position.This is the age old problem you usually see on other pages like Stackoverflow.
Example:
OP: How can I do this thing?
Answer 1: This is stupid. Do this totally other thing. This will achieve what you want.Answer 2: Marks post as duplicate and insults OP for using a Microsoft product
Optimal answer: You could do it this and this way.
But this amd that way is more optimal and achieves your goal faster.
Even worse, long car rides are the worst part of a vacation … and people choose that as the main activity?
Since tech seems to be what people are focusing on and not actual advice, the point of the trip is to bury my grandfather. I am fearful to fly in the US currently. We have to make this trip so we’re making it as enjoyable as possible. I didn’t feel like including that in the post because I didn’t feel it was actually relevant
I have a steam deck on the way! Any recommendations here for travel accessories? Or just in general?
AY YOOO! LETS GOOOOO! (I also have a SteamDeck and I got excited reading that lmao)
Battery packs my friend. Have at least one extra battery capable of at least 45W charging, preferrably those 25000 mah ones. (I’d get like 2 batteries if money isn’t an issue, I found ones thay are like $70 USD) There are also car chargers adapters that cinverts the cigarette lighter thing to a USB-C output (although I never went on a long enough trip to use those, so idk if those are enough to charge a SteamDeck at full 45 Watts)
Download some maps.
And, I know people will say “enjoy the moment” or whatever, but I suggest taking some photos with whatever phone you have (if you don’t want a dedicated camera), because I’d personally really wished I had a photo of every place I’ve been to, since I kinda forgot them, the memories I do have feels so nostalgic, and I wish I had more photos to help me recall stuff. (for context: I’m a young adult, but dealing with depression and memories aren’t as vivid anymore, photos would help a lot for me)
no internet
Idk about your oculus, but is this a place with no cellular signal? I bet those handheld radios would come in handy for communications (Its not like I travel to remote areas often, but like I’m just obsessed with radios so I had to mention it xD), could make your little trip feel like a you’re a special agent on a secret mission lol (am I weird? Sorry I just have an obsession with the idea radios, like I mentioned). But seriously tho, lack of cell signal and being in remote areas feel kinda sketchy (IMO) without a reliable way to communicate. If in the US: FRS is license-free, but has lower range due to wattage requiements. GMRS requires bascially just one license fee that covers your entire family, but you can use those higher wattage GMRS Radios. (GMRS and FRS kinda overlap on the same frequencies btw)
Take your car to your trusted mechanic, explain you’re doing a road trip and ask them to look for anything that might be an issue.
I do this before ever road trip and it has saved me a few times. The last thing you want is for problems to spring up during the trip.
Yes I just did this last week. Amusingly I had something that I asked “hypothetically, if I’m driving to state in the near future, would you recommend I take care of that now?”
Yes, I got my serpentine belt replaced and an oil change. My brakes are still in good shape. But they also did check everything out and I have another appointment next week to make sure the transmission is ok and get the AC looked at (diagnosticians were booked out until then)
Never been on a roadtrip before, but I imagine it could be awesome to have some gear with you in case you want to pull off the road and hike through some especially beautiful landscape or the parks you mentioned.
In this case make sure you have comfortable shoes to hike in, that give you some support. Trainers work for hills with well maintained paths, but I’d recommend proper hiking boots for actual mountain trails. Also, if you do go hiking: backpacks for water bottles and food, raincoats and clothes that allow easy movement and are breathable. Sweating on hikes can’t always be avoided, but it sucks, especially on longer ones.
And for the car ride: pillows that allow for some comfort, if you just want to get a nap in.
To paraphrase Pirsig, aim for quality time with an emphasis on the word “quality”. Speed and distance don’t matter, so don’t try to maximize them. If anything, maximizing them will take away from enjoyment of the journey.
He also said that when you are in a car, the whole world is in a frame and moves by you, boringly. You aren’t in the scene.
Don’t be afraid to make detours. My wife & I have done a few such trips, and on one of them we passed a sign for a memorial & museum of the Tuskegee Airmen. We took a detour to check it out and thoroughly enjoyed it.
