Saturday, August 3, 2019

Travel Like A Boss!

Hubby and I recently drove our daughter from Virginia (we came from Delaware) out to North Hollywood, California.

We each drove.  Hubby in the 10-foot UHaul, Sydnee is her Mazda 3, and I followed up the caravan in our Subaru.

It is a 2,500-mile drive one way and can be done "comfortably" in 5 days.

Here are 6 tips if you are going to travel, even if it's not 2,500 miles.

Photo:  Pexels.com

TIP #1

Plan your trip.

It sounds easy, but it does require some preemptive thoughts, discussions, and questions.

Hubby was in charge of this part and he did a great job.  On our way out we took Route 40 and that saved us time in the long run.  Those large interstates are pretty much "straight shots" that get you to your destination in a reasonable time and fashion.

Since we were not going to sight-see along the way, we did not take little jaunts off the beaten path.  If this is your plan, adjust your travel time and days for that as well.

Hubby and I used the WAZE app and a good old-fashioned large spiral-bound atlas for a paper reference.  I have to say, I LOVED having that atlas because it allowed us to plan the next day out, including booking our hotels. (Nope, we waited to book until the night before - more about that coming up.)

Photo:  Waze.com


On our way back home, when it was just hubby, the dog, and I in our car (we left the UHaul in L.A.), we took Route 70 east.  What a beautiful drive that is!

An app like WAZE tells you not only what roads and routes to take but also if there are police or hazards ahead of you.  I have the jaunty British accented girl who directs us when we use this app, but you can change it with many of their options - they've just added Cookie Monster for those of you traveling with kiddos.

Photo:  Pexels.com

TIP #2

Vehicle Maintenance is a MUST!

We made sure that our vehicles were in tip-top shape, including putting new tires on our daughter's car.

Even if you are just "about there" for an oil change, I recommend going ahead and doing it prior to taking off.

Nothing can be scarier or more frustrating than being broken down in an unfamiliar state, half-way across the country, on a major interstate, needing mechanical care.

You may also want to check with your car insurance company on additional benefits that they offer in your coverage.  Is towing included?  What about car rental options?  What exactly should you do if you are in an accident and that far from home?

It's always best to be proactive and prepared in the event of something happening.  It can mean the difference between being calm and assured and a full-blown panic attack.

Photo:  Booking.com

TIP #3

Sleep in Peace and Comfort.

I cannot tell you how happy I was using my Booking.com app.  I've used this service since Sydnee went to college in 2014 and we needed to periodically reserve hotel rooms in Lynchburg, VA among other places.  Because of this, I've "leveled-up" and now get deeper discounts when booking!

Using a service like this allows you to also use hotel-specific credit cards for points or perks.

We had the dog with us, so I made sure to filter which hotels accepted pets as guests.

I also like that our hotel options were rated on a 1-10 scale.  I set a specific rating in my head (8 or better) and then simply booked right on the site, the night before we were to arrive.

On average, we paid around $100-$120 per night.  On our way back, I got a great deal on a MASSIVE 3 room King Suite at a Wyndham in St. George, UT.  We stayed there for 2 nights.  Total cost for both nights ALL TOGETHER?  $115.52.  Yep...it was $57.76 with all taxes and charges for EACH NIGHT.

It was luxurious!!!

I know there are many apps that help you book, I just use Booking.com personally.  Find one that works for you.

Photo:  Pexels.com

TIP #4

Pack Sensibly.

This is one of those tips that can be quite hard for anyone who is traveling, most especially if you are a person who enjoys choices and likes to anticipate outfit options prior to being away from home.

I am an over-thinker when packing and usually take WAY TOO MUCH stuff.  Can you relate?

Here's what I took that I didn't use at all:
Make-up (I know...)
6 pairs of shorts (wore 1 pair, 1 day)
Work-out clothes (moving her was active enough)
Bathing suit & Cover-up
2 pairs of shoes (I took 4)
Hair-dryer

I admit it...I over-packed and it won't happen again (at least I think it won't.)

Because we were gone for almost 3 weeks, we made sure to wash our clothes when we were in California.  I had 6 tops that I rotated with my 3 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of shorts.  We did a load when we got to her apartment and another load prior to leaving.

Most hotels have laundry facilities, which you can filter when searching for them.  This helps you keep your clothes to a minimum.

If your hotel doesn't offer those facilities, use an app like Yelp.com to search for one that has great ratings.  It's also great for restaurants and other services as well.

And nope...I didn't put on a stitch of make-up the whole trip.  I gave my skin a vacation as well.

Photo:  Loves.com

TIP #5

Plan to Rest & Refuel

We made sure to stop about every 2 hours on the way out and the way back.

Even when we didn't need to get gas, we still made stops to stretch our legs, use the restroom, walk the dog, and chat.  It's amazing how stiff you can get just sitting and driving. 

We pretty much fueled up around 2-3 times a day.

Finding large truck stops like Loves.com were great.  They are clean with large bays and competitive gas prices.  The restrooms were stocked and very clean as well.

They also had great snacks and meals (including fast-food options like Subway and others) to choose from, giving us opportunities to grab waters and meals along the way.

Photo:  Pexels.com

Prior to leaving, I hit the Dollar Tree for a bag full of snacks.  Things like gum, Cow Tails, Nuts, and Gummies really help when you're traveling.  

I also grabbed the small trash bags and half rolls of paper towels from the Dollar Tree as well.  This keeps trash from taking over as well as contends with spills and eating from your lap.
(Dollar Tree carries half-sized rolls of VIVA which are great for the car!)

Photo:  Pexels.com

TIP #6

Make the trip enjoyable!

Retrain your brain to say "I get to drive across this country..." instead of "Ugh, I have to drive cross country!"  Think of it as a privilege to be able to drive, see new places, meet new people, and possibly, like me, check something off your bucket list.

One thing that I really loved was using the Spotify app to customize my music choices and listen to Podcasts along the way.  Driving for 10 hours a day can really be boring if you're constantly searching for in-range radion stations.

Another great option, which I fully employed, was listening to my Audible book selections.  On the recommendation of a friend, I downloaded James A Michener's book The Source.  I had NEVER read any of his books because, quite frankly, the didn't interest me.  This one?  WOW!  I loved it so much, and I especially liked listening to it much better than if I had read it.

I also downloaded a few others and alternated between them.  I highly recommend listening to books in the car, even if it's a quick 20-minute trip.  It's an easy way to expand your mind, heal your soul, or laugh-out-loud while driving along.


Finally...



I want to say that this trip changed me in some very real ways.

I felt like a total boss babe, driving by myself across the country.  Sure, my family was ahead of me, so I wasn't totally alone.  But I know I could do it if it was only me, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I liked the sense of "aloneness" that I experienced when riding by myself.  I could listen to music, a book, or just the hum of the car on the road whenever I wanted to.  It allowed me to think and plan things in my mind.  It was very cathartic in that way.

I really, really, really love the desert and the mountains, and driving through them going and coming was so awe-inspiring and peaceful.  I am an "out west" girl and can't wait until we have the opportunity to move there in the near future.  It too is on my bucket list.

I liked breaking those rules; being fearless and finding fun in the journey.


















1 comment

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