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When you are lucky enough to travel, you learn that much like life, the destination is almost secondary to the experience of getting there. It is the journey that you take that gives you the most value. Road trips symbolize this notion perfectly. Yes, you could get there quicker by plane, but by doing so, you would miss out on the many experiences that will give shape and color your life. Unlike the best road trip movies where people just get in the car and hit the road, a successful road trip requires some serious planning.

 

Who are you going with?
The adventure of a road trip can be dampened by the company that you keep. Sharing beers with someone regularly and having a good night out does

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not automatically make them the best person to go on a road trip with. You need to go with someone who you are as comfortable being silent with as much as you enjoy talking to. How long are you going for? The time that you have available for your road trip will dictate the itinerary. You do not want to overstretch your itinerary and make it so that you are continuously on the road. Your itinerary should be designed so that you can comfortably cover the miles and have the flexibility to take advantage of hidden gems that you will come across.

What do you want to see and do?
Have a clear picture of the type of road trip you want to have. For example, if you are a music lover, a popular ten-day route is from New York to New Orleans. You can go to the Niagara Falls before following the Kentucky Bourbon Trail down to Louisville. Get your country music fix in Nashville before heading south via Memphis to New Orleans for a jazz spectacular. You can see on mrhudsonexplores.com the best of New Orleans to discover so that you experience the rich culture before returning home. If you prefer chasing the sun and surf, San Diego to San Francisco is a rite of passage for many who want the ideal Californian road trip. The roads are good, and the uncrowded beaches are accessible and can provide you with any type of wave to suit your surfing ability.

What vehicle are you going to use?
For a road trip to be a success, you need to have a reliable and suitable vehicle. You should always have a contingency fund available to cover unexpected maintenance costs should any mechanical issues arise. When you are covering lots of miles, comfort should be at the forefront of your mind. Yes, your vehicle can probably fit five adults in, but is it comfortable enough for you to spend a long time in? Don’t forget you also to need to have space for luggage too! The United States of America is vast. It covers a staggering 3.8 million square miles. Its landscapes vary – from deserts through to snowy mountain peaks, everglades through to buzzing cities – there is something to appeal to anyone, and everyone, which is why planning your trip is crucial to get the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity.