If your spring break travel plans involve jumping in the car and heading out on the highway, you’re not the only one. AAA says that nearly 30 percent of people surveyed in eight states plan to make their spring break one of looking out the window, drinking from the sweaty fountain drink in the car’s drink holder, devouring gas station snacks and cruising along on an adventure. As always, thinking ahead just a little bit helps avoid trouble down the road (although spontaneity sometimes rules the road trip), so Pilot Travel Centers offers some tips to consider while you’re throwing bags in the trunk and pulling up your playlist.
1. Plan your stops: That doesn’t mean you can’t immediately pull over when you see the sign for the dinosaur attraction, but plotting out the best places to stop to eat, stretch your legs and gas up is a smart idea so you don’t find yourself, say, on the loneliest road in America without knowing where your next pit stop is.
2. Stretch out your pit stops: If you’re just stopping for gas and then bolting away, you’re missing out. Walk around, take a few deep breaths, peruse the snack aisles and head to the bathroom just in case the next one isn’t for another 200 miles. Some rest stops have a little historical plaque you can access via a short trail, especially in wagon train country.
3. Download rewards apps: If you’re stopping at the same place each time for gas and snacks, make sure you’re not missing out on discounts available through the app.
4. Be playful: Play road trip games (like I Spy or 20 Questions—or just make up trivia on the spot), listen to a podcast like This American Life or My Favorite Murder (download a few episodes in advance in case wifi doesn’t stick with you) and build in time to stop if you see a sign for something you didn’t know was on the road and sounds too good to pass up.
5. Stop and reconnect: If you’ve lost connectivity, you can stop at a travel center to use the Wi-Fi for some important refreshes. It’s always good to let folks at home know where you are.