What you need for a successful road trip

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always spent my time enjoying the outdoors. Whether it was outside running around with my neighbors and cousins, enjoying a nice hot day with a water hose, or creating childhood scratches, I always enjoyed being outside. But one thing I realized was we barely left the state. We’ve been to New Hampshire a few times to go shopping and to New York once for my sister’s college scholarship. But there’s so much to explore and visit for vacations, that’s something that I’ve always wanted to do but in a car. I’ve always wanted to go on a road trip. Think about it, while you’re driving to your destination you’re also exploring new ones. It doesn’t hurt to stop and visit a different state mall, food place, museum, or amusement park. It’s such a fun experience to have, especially with the people you love. Well since I’ve sat here and talked about road trips might as well give you some tips and tricks along the way.‍

Stop by local restaurants on the ride!!‍

There are so many good things about road trips, driving around with family, and having fun with loved ones but most importantly the food! Why just have regular basic snacks when you can stop at each state you drive through and try new foods. There are so many places you can go that have different tastes from different backgrounds so you’re kinda getting a taste of that state and the tradition and culture they have! I highly recommend Canes, they only sell chicken but it’s good with their cane sauce and the lemonade is “bussin” whew! With that being said here are some other places not in Massachusetts you could stop by.

• Bully’s Restaurant: Jackson, Ms (soul food) 
• Checkers 
• In-N-Out Burger
• Candy shack 

Music choices 

Music during a card ride there has to be the best way to enjoy music because there are so many different songs and genres you can enjoy. But first, identify which way you will listen to music. There’s the radio or you can use an auxiliary cord to connect your phone and play music off apps like SoundCloud. SoundCloud is an app that plays underground music meaning artists that aren’t considered “famous” yet that come from any and everywhere in the region. It also plays mainstream music with ads but not all mainstream music is available unless you have premium or someone helps post it.‍

Apple Music is an app for Apple devices. It plays all types of music from hip-hop to rock to RB to indie. It has a lot of mainstream music and no ads. You do get a one-month trial but after that, it’s $9.99 a month. Spotify is another music app you can use to listen to music and make playlists. If you get premium Spotify you can have unlimited skips, be ad-free, and play any song you want.

One album I recommend listening to is “Over it” by Summer Walker. It’s an R&B album I can listen to with no skips as well as any album by Kehlani, Jhene Aiko, Sza, Giveion, Tink, Bryson Tiller, Brent Faiyaz, H.E.R, and Queen Najia. Now for upbeat music like rap I recommend anything by Lil Durk, Fredo Bang, Drake, Chris Brown, Big Latto, Lil Baby, NBA Young Boy, Lakeyah, Cardi B, Rubi Rose, Nicki, Asian Doll, Sleepy Hallow, Sheff G, and NLE Choppa. No skips are important on a trip because the artist are all very talented and sent the mood 

Honestly, the list can go on but that’s way too many artists. The point is to go out and have fun! Get in the car and scream out your throat singing the wrong lyrics or be in your feelings. It’s always fun to sing at the top of your lungs.‍

Renting the right car‍

You can enjoy the ride with others or drive your car. Now if you don’t already have a car, you can always rent one if you don’t have enough money to buy or don’t want to. Renting a car is not that hard, just make sure to have a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years or older, and have a credit/debit card. Consider looking for a car with good gas-efficient gas mileage and the most comfort. I recommend cars with more space so maybe consider a Honda CR-V. It has a lot of space and its horsepower is 190hp and it also comes in different colors. Also, be careful to never run out of gas, always make sure your tank is full or has enough to last your drive to the nearest gas station. You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere that’s a horror movie waiting to happen, we want you as safe as possible! 

Now while in a car, you wanna make sure you’re as comfortable as possible if you’re going to be driving for five hours plus. Being all cramped up and sitting uncomfortably is not it, I prefer to sit comfy. Things you could get are little soft cushions to sit on and blankets to lay down and you get them for cheap from places like Five Below. They have lots of decorations and blankets to purchase.‍

Emergency kits.‍

Now, on a road trip while you’re having fun you also want to make sure you are as safe as possible. I’m talking about the basics, sunscreen, water, band-aids, medical wraps, and alcohol wipes. Which are all things you can get from CVS or any pharmacy. Things you should bring beyond the basics are a throw-up bag (people tend to get car sick when they’re in a car for too long), a flashlight, spare tires, a tool kit, car oil, jumper cables, an extra car battery, and car escape tools for safety. You can get all these things from Autozone, Walmart, and any basic store except clothing stores. Bring anything that you think you might need even if it sounds ridiculous because you never know when something can come in handy.

Now that you’ve been taught the basics of a road and all the fun things you can do. Consider going out and capturing a bunch of memories that can never be forgotten. What’s the phrase they always say “YOLO?”