Gearing Up To Hit The Road
September 14th, 2009
It looks like our time in South Dakota is coming to an end for now and it's time to move on to the next adventure. There's a lot to be done before those tires start rolling on the asphalt so it's a good idea to plan a little to keep things running smooth.
So let's talk about the maker or breaker of any trip... money. Make sure that you lay out your trip and itemize certain aspects of cost. First you need to know how much time is it going to take to get from point A to point B, figure up how many miles and then add extra miles for side trips. If you're anything like me, side trips can come on at a whim. But nobody knows yourself like you do, so think about all that you want to see and put aside some extra for that. Now you can calculate how much gas it's going to take. Be sure to give yourself a buffer for different gas prices in different states and MPG for pulling a trailer.
Okay, milage and gas... check. Now we need to add up how long is this road trip going to take. Now know when your planning a road trip it can be easy to say, "I can drive over 12 hours a day no problem, nothing that a Red Bull can't fix!" And when you're actually on the trip and you're tired, and disappointed that you're not meeting your daily goal, the trip becomes a drag, and if you wanted to be run into the ground... you might as well have stayed at work. The idea here is to relax, take in everything new around you, not to rush from one stop to the next, just to rush to the one after that the next day. So if you make a daily driving goal, keep them real. If you're in an RV, give yourself time to pack up in the morning and set up before the light leaves at night.
Once you get how many days it'll take you, now you can figure up how much it's going to cost you to eat per day. If you're on a budget, bring food to prepare or have picnics, instead of going to every drive-thru along the way. And if you're not boondocking, you can also add up campground stays.
And lastly, let's explore the unknown. What I'm refering to is a dead battery, a flat tire, or locked keys in the car. When we think of our rapidly approaching trip, it's always the perfect, no problems, best time ever. And then while we're on the road, the cold hard hand that is reality slaps us upside the head. Just make sure that you have a miscellenous stash for just such an occasion, so that we're not on the side of the road calling family about wiring money.
In closing I want to stress not to overplan your trip. Road trips are fun and exciting, but can be less than stellar if too tight of a regiment is held and iteneraries are handed out in duplicate. Just keep the essisials in mind, so that you don't find yourself in a boat with no paddles, or better yet, an RV with flat wheels. What do you do to prepare for a trip on the road? What kind of gear do you bring? Do you bother with planning every day or just plan as you go? You can discuss this in our forum or leave a comment below.
"Visiting Yellowstone"