The open road is a liberating place. You can just take the highway and take off to where the wind is blowing. Travel from one state to another and see all the wonders America has to offer. America was built by exploring the hills and valleys that surround it. But, while there is something to be said for just cruising, even the most intrepid of adventurers had a guide and you should too. This article will cover how to plan a trip and what to prioritize for a road trip.

First, plan your route. You can do this with any number of travel apps on your phone. An app like Waze, for example, can be your best friend on the road. Not only will Waze route your journey, but it will also give you up to a minute traffic updates, including traffic jams, slowdowns, or even road object warnings. You can also get information on various attractions in your area through Waze. If you don’t have a smartphone, be sure to plot your information in the oldest way, a map. A backup map is helpful too, just in case. If you are traveling with friends or family, be sure to do something that everyone can enjoy and plan your trip accordingly. Be mindful of rest stops and gas stations because those miles can fly by!

Something else to keep in mind, especially if you have young children for the trip, is making sure everyone is kept entertained. Games, DVDs, CD players or smartphones, use any of them. If you don’t have access to them, the car games work just as well. License plate bingo or even a “word” game. This is a game where you turn the car around and each person says a word and the next one follows with another word to make sense of it. Keep going until you can’t anymore. Another classic game is I see, I see. The driver may be at a disadvantage, but it’s still fun.

A key component of road trips is safety. You need to have everything updated in your car. Have your engine checked in conjunction with an oil change. Check the tire pressure and make sure you have a new spare tire, as well as a donut if you have space. A new tire pressure gauge and jack will also help. A bag for gear on the road is also useful. Flares, cones, and road lanterns would also be helpful.

The final part of a well-planned road trip: food and drink. There are so many great places to eat just down the road. There are also some not so great places to eat. Again, a little research can be your friend. You can ask the locals if they are staying at a hotel or maybe take a little trip to websites like Yelp to find out if a place is a lovely restaurant or a local dive bar. You’d be surprised how often the two get confused. Just follow these steps and you are on your way to an amazing road trip!