Essential Cross-Country Road Trip Items

There’s nothing worse than beginning a cross country road trip and discovering your forgot your case of CDs two hundred miles back. Before beginning any long road trip, it is always essential to make sure you have all the items necessary to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for anything the vast expanse of the United States has to offer you. This article will discuss these essential items and why they’re important to have.

One of the worst aspects of a cross-country trip is the endless boredom that accompanies the open road. This goes double for those going at it alone. While having a ready supply of music is essential, at times it can become repetitive. This is where audio books and podcasts come in. With a quick search online you can find literally hundreds, if not thousands, of podcasts, almost all of which are available for free download. The same can be said for audio books, though they may require a more diligent search, as they usually have a fee attached to them. Programs such as iTunes break audio books and podcasts in categories, and while some are free and some aren’t, the options are endless.

When driving cross country, you have to be prepared for anything. As such, every car should contain a variety of items necessary for any situation. In addition to a spare tire and toolkit, some helpful items include towels, a change of clothes in a plastic bag, a gas canister, flashlights, and batteries. Beyond this you should be sure to have at a readily available location your insurance information, registration, etc. In some cases some form of protection, be it a gun (which requires a permit) or something as simple as a tire iron or crowbar may provide you with some peace of mind, especially if you decide to eschew hotels in favor of sleeping in the car.

Driving long hours across the country often means long stretches of road where stopping really isn’t an option, and as such it’s always best to have the following items with you at all times: a bottle in case you have to, ahem, “relieve” yourself while on the road, and plenty of drinks (water, sodas, juices) and food (anything that doesn’t need to be cooked). These items are not essential, yet if you’re in a hurry and would rather not make unnecessary stops, they certainly help.

More great travel tips can be found here!

How to Safely Drive on Icy Winter Roads

With winter approaching faster than a Japanese bullet train, a major cause of concern is driving safely on the icy roads. While those who live in the South are given respite from these potentially dangerous weather conditions, others are not so lucky. A fresh, evening snow fall and a plunge in temperature can bring about a layer of ice on the road that can easily result in an automobile accident if proper precautionary measures are not taken. Here are some of the best ways to minimize your chances of losing control of your car and plunging two hundred feet off a cliff.

One tip my mother gave me before I moved from the sunny beaches of Florida to the cold, wintry mountains of Colorado was to fill my trunk with bags of sand. By throwing in several 25-50 pound bags of sand you weigh down the back of your car, allowing for better traction. This will not only help prevent you from getting caught in really deep snow, but its primary purpose is to prevent hydroplaning by allowing for better traction. This can be made even more effective if you consistently rotate your tires and ensure they do not go bald.

If you live in the northern states many places sell special tires designed for gripping the road during icy conditions. While some suggest you only need two winter tires, it is recommended that you purchase four snow tires. According to tiretrack.com, four winter tires as opposed to two allows the car to work uniformly in the same conditions, as opposed to two tires attempting to work one way while the other work another way.

Clearly the best way to avoid getting into an accident while driving on the icy roads is to simply avoid the roads entirely. If you don’t have to drive, don’t. Stay in, make a fire, and watch a movie. At times it’s unavoidable, however, and if you can you should take public transportation such as the bus or subway. If you can handle the cold and live a short distance from your destination, walking (provided there are clear sidewalks available) is always a good idea. It’s safer, and you get some exercise to boot.

More great travel tips can be found here!

Vacation Spots in North Dakota

Of all the many different states that you may be deciding to choose from to plan your next vacation in, odds are North Dakota may not even be on your radar. The fact is, however, that North Dakota not only deserves consideration but would also make an excellent choice to be at the top of that list. Not only does North Dakota offer a safe and friendly state to visit, but also one that is rich in culture and beautiful lands. Yet one more reason to consider North Dakota for your next vacation, and perhaps the biggest reason of all, is that North Dakota has been named America’s most affordable vacation state. Let’s take a look at some of the best vacation spots that North Dakota has to offer.

Depending on the time of the year, you can find some vastly different ways to occupy your time in North Dakota. During the summertime, one of the best attractions in North Dakota is the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can expect to see prairie land that looks the same today as it did hundreds of years ago. While taking a look at your surroundings, you can quickly realize why this is such a beautiful and rare sight to behold in the present day. No shopping malls, quick stop marts, or sports arenas, just land that maintains its beauty by remaining untouched for all this time.

Lake Sakakawea is another popular summertime vacation spot that offers a terrific selection of water sports including boating and fishing, as well as an excellent place to set up camp for all of you camping purists out there. Other lakes such as Long Lake and Bowman-Haley Lake also offer similar activities. If you are more of a cold weather person and a winter vacation is what you are craving, then Bottineau Winter Park delivers a great experience full of winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bears Den Mountain, and Frost Fire Mountain are other popular winter vacation spots in North Dakota to enjoy a variety of winter activities.

From romantic getaways to scenery that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else, North Dakota is an excellent choice for your next vacation and these are just a few of the great vacation spots that it has to offer.

For more information on North Dakota or to view hot vacation spots for other states, click here!

Great Tips On Road Trips – How To Stay Sane Over 5 Days

Many road trips can often be as fun and as memorable as the experience that is had after arriving at the destination. Other road trips are memorable for other reasons that are not quite so enjoyable, and you may only wish that you can someday look back on the experience and laugh about it. Planning ahead is a key part of a successful and enjoyable road trip, especially one that is going to last for at least 5 days. Here are some tips that will keep you and your party from wanting to inflict bodily harm upon one another before you reach your destination.

The first thing you can do that is sure to please everyone involved is to clean your vehicle. The cleaner the vehicle is, the more comfortable the environment will be. Comfort can be one of the most important things you can strive for in a long road trip. You also don’t want any curious smells from food or clothing to make a surprise appearance along the way either.

The next part of the plan involves carefully choosing your route. Emotions can run pretty high on the highway if you run into huge amounts of traffic along the way, so having an escape route or two in your back pocket can come in real handy. Also, beware of choosing country roads that are known for being bumpy or with a lot of hills. This can especially be important if you have people who become car sick easily.

Satellite radio can be a terrific thing when traveling long distances. Instead of scouring around trying to find something to listen to on AM/FM radio, or listening to the same cds over and over again, satellite radio will end any disputes over the radio before they even begin. No matter where you go, your favorite stations will be with you. Bad weather is the only thing that will potentially be a problem, but that’s a perfect time to break out those cds.

Other tips including carrying phone cards in case your cell phone will not work because of the different service areas, joining a roadside service in case you run into vehicle trouble, and distributing jobs such as driver and navigator in the vehicle according to people’s strengths can all keep you from pulling your hair out. Be armed with plenty of pleasant conversation and be willing to adapt to other’s choices for food and accommodations and you will be well on your way to having a successful road trip.

For more road trip travel tips or to find great road trip destinations, click here!