Prof. Kalahn's Road Trip 101 Course

  

  Are you planning a road trip? Don't know how to do it? Well, I've lived that life, and I'm here to help you with a list of tips and lessons I learned on the road. I'll cover a variety of topics from planning and destinations to road safety and activities. 

Road Safety

These are just basic driving rules I've devised to be the best you can be.

1. Kalahn's Speed Limit- I stuck to a speed of 4mph over the limit at all times when on my trip and I never had to worry about cops and getting pulled over. It doesn't matter if you're in a hurry, it's never worth it to get a ticket.
2. The Left Lane- Don't be a left lane hog. It's meant for passing. Also, if you stay in the right lane, you'll be more likely to be inconvenienced by merging traffic. So, if you're not passing or exiting, stay in the middle lane. Oh, and if someone faster than you is coming up on you, just get over for them if you're in the left lane.
3. Don't be a Lemming- You may think that because other people are going fast, you should too. That's wrong, it'll make you more susceptible to being pulled over and it's more dangerous. If you're in a hurry on your road trip, then you planned wrong. Just sit back and take it easy while you follow my speed limit rule.
4. Lane Merging- Don't be that guy that whips it across 4 lanes of traffic to merge. Watch your directions, be prepared. Always check your mirrors first, too. Also, use your turn signal for God's sake and don't forget to turn it off when you're done.
5. Directions- Be ahead of the game by not just looking at your directions, but looking ahead of them. By watching the road ahead of where you are, you can be more ready for merging, exits, road work, and speed traps. 

Preparedness

There are many things you can do to be ready for your trip, 

and some stuff that may not be necessary.

1. Packing- It's always better to bring more than less, assuming you have the room. I have a relatively small car, and I ended up taking way more than I needed but still had plenty of room to do what I needed.
2. Clothes- Bring light clothes. I stuck to T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, a tank top, and shorts. Make sure to bring enough.
3. Sleeping- If you're like me and can't afford to spend nights renting a room, you'll be sleeping in your car. I brought five pillows, most of different variety to help me get the most comfort. I brought a thick comforter, too, but that's only because I had nothing else. You should probably bring a lighter blanket for warmer nights.
4. Food and Drink- I brought fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, a case of water, and a variety of Great Value water flavor packets. Between meals, I had a good amount of stuff to have, but I wish I had more of a variety of snacks. 
5. Bathroom Essentials- Make sure to bring absolutely everything you need. That includes a toothbrush, tweezers, a razor, hand sanitizer, a brush, maybe stuff to shower, toilet paper, etc. 
6. Music- Have playlists of music picked out before you're out on the road. I don't want to be dealing with that while driving. I just shuffled a few artists I felt like listening to.
7. Planning- Have a schedule in place. Break up your drives enough so that you don't get tired of driving for long periods of times. Plan a variety of places, you can go to food places, parks and preserves, monuments, etc. Get enough sleep, too.
8. Your Vehicle- Get your vehicle serviced first and be absolutely sure that it's safe to use. There's no telling when your vehicle could stop working, and you definitely don't want to be in that situation. Do your part and have a professional get it running as good as possible. 

The Road

Driving on your trip could be rough, here's what I learned.

1. Sleeping- If you're sleeping in your car, there's only really one choice for where to go: Walmart parking lots. Anywhere else, and you will most likely get a ticket. You can't sleep at rest areas. When deciding your final destination, there are a couple rules you should follow. First, you should check the population of the town to make sure it's not unsafe. Second, make sure it actually has a parking lot. I learned that small population towns might be small in population because people don't live there, not because nobody is there. Check the map, see the parking lot before you set off. Last, park as far from the building as possible, and relax. If you park away from the building, nobody should bother you. It can be very stressful and scary being on your own the first night or two. Keep to yourself, lock your doors, and relax, you'll be fine.
2. Weather- There's no telling what weather conditions you could come across, and they could be life threatening. Stuff like fog and rain is super dangerous. Don't be afraid to slow down and do what you need to be safe. 
3. Stupid Drivers- Be vigilant. There are dumb people on the road all the time. Watch for people swerving or not using their turn signals and stay away from them. 
4. Do Your Best- You will be faced with a number of unpredictable scenarios that you won't be able to prepare for. Keep a clear head, don't worry, and just try your best to deal with it. Take a break if you have to.
5. Gas/Bathrooms- First, gas up before it's too late. Always get your gas outside of big cities so you don't spend way more than necessary. And of course, you don't want to run out of gas. When it comes to bathrooms, you might have to be a little more prepared than usual. Don't use bar bathrooms, they're gross and unpredictable. Find a bathroom before it's too late. You never know when the bathroom you picked might be out of service if or the gas station you're at will actually have one.
6. Music- There’s a time and place for music. When you’re driving through cities, cut it off. You need to stay vigilant in those times, and if you can’t hear cars or are distracted it’s going to be a lot harder. Also, don’t always listen to music while on the road. Roll the windows down, listen to nature, enjoy being where you are.