Rooooaaad trippppp!!!!!!!
That might sound like a lot of fun when you think about you and your bestie in a hippie van fully decked out with comfy pillows, yummy snacks, and your own personal driver. However, these situations are rarely reality and instead we often find ourselves commuting long distances alone for work or crammed in the car with our families for way too many hours. Those trips? Not always so much fun. So how can you pass the time in the most productive and enjoyable way possible? These are the things I have learned from making long car trips for work and making the 8-hour trek home to see my family and friends that help make my journey go quickly.
But remember, the primary thing is safety! Don’t do any of these things if they distract you from getting to where you’re going safely.
1. Call and Catch Up
Moving away from home, I have many long-distance relationships that include my family, boyfriend, and high school and college besties. Throw everyone’s busy schedules with work, school, social lives, etc. in the mix, and you’ll find that sometimes the people you used to spend every waking hour with you now only see for a few hours over holiday weekends. Long car trips are perfect for those hour-long catch up sessions that you otherwise may not be able to fit in. Even if you’re fully caught up, they’re great for feeling like you’re hanging out by telling stories, reminiscing, or planning your next trip to see each other. In those moments where I feel I can’t drive another second, I will call someone and realize later that the conversation effectively distracted me from my tiredness or boredom. I typically talk to my boyfriend and my mom on multiple occasions during these trips, sometimes for a long time, and sometimes for just a few seconds.
2. Listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks
It is just recently that I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for other forms of audio content than music. I am in loooove with music and used to be fine jamming the whole time, but after consecutive long trips, I’ve found that I can only scream sing for song long. These days, by about the fourth or fifth hour the music is no longer keeping the yawns away. This is a great time for a podcast. They’re great because the commentary is a different kind of stimulation for your brain and it’s a nice change of pace. I generally opt for the funny/lighthearted, religious, or leadership mentality ones, but there are great podcasts on literally every topic. I semi-recently got a Spotify Premium subscription and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Audiobooks are also great, but they’re not quite as conversational, which can make them a bit of a snore if you don’t get the right one. I also generally prefer to read at my own pace and take notes or write down quotes that I like. However, if you find a good narrator, they can be wonderful. I really enjoyed Rachel Hollis’s Girl Wash Your Face. I use the OverDrive and Libby apps with my library card and have access to a Spotify level of content for free!
3. Listen to Music
This is a given, but as I mentioned above, Spotify is a game-changer and music gives life. Whether you’re a playlists person or just like letting shuffle do its thing, music is great for transporting your mind and boosting your mood. In the summer, I love cranking up my stereo and rolling around with my panoramic roof open. My phone connection in my car requires more volume than the radio, and I often forget to turn it down when I get out of my car. This unfortunate habit has given quite a few of my friends, coworkers, and admittedly myself mini heart attacks.
4. Let Your Mind Wander
I don’t know what it is about long car trips, but I often get super inspired and have my best ideas when I’m in the car. It’s awesome to let your brain run and then write down everything as soon as you stop so you don’t forget. Sometimes, I’ll even call my mom or bf to text me something that I was thinking about so that I have a visual reminder for later.
5. Talk to God
Rarely do we take time in our busy lives to just stop and be. A long car ride, especially if you’re alone, is the perfect time to catch up with God. Tell Him what’s on your heart and mind, thank Him for the blessings in your life, and ask for guidance where you need it. Talk to Him like you would talk to a friend. Oftentimes you’ll find that you will be left feeling a little lighter and better than you did before.
6. Play a Road Trip Game
This one works best if you’re with people, but can also be done alone. Try to find as many states on license plates as you can and take note of how far that person has come from where they are currently driving. Count how many of something you pass. See how many of a certain car you can find. These might sound silly or childish, but it’s the little things that get you through those dreadful parts of the trip.
7. Stop and Explore
I’m all for bearing down and making it to my destination as quickly as possible, especially if I’m tired; however, sometimes it’s fun to take a little detour. Stop and get yourself some ice cream, buy a souvenir at the cute little shop you pass, or pull off to take some pics of the nature around you. Sometimes we miss out on life’s best and purest moments by rushing to get to our destination. Take time to stop and enjoy the ride.
Have any of these tactics also been life changers for you? Do you have any different ones that I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear them! Comment below and don’t forget to share if you read something you found helpful. 🙂
