The Road Trip

Sitting in a car for seven hours certainly isn't everyone's idea of a good time.  In fact, I'd venture to say that the average person loathes long drives.  Luckily, I'm not quite the average person.  I love road trips, and you should too.

The connotations of a road trip are what makes it worthwhile.  The destination is key; hopefully where you're going is better than where you're coming from.  So is your crew; no one wants to be stuck in a small car with people they can't stand.

All good road trippers are well prepared.  You're with your best friends.  You stocked up on snacks and Red Bull.  You have a full tank of gas, and an extensive playlist on Spotify.  Sunroof open, aviators on your face, you're ready to go.

The open road is a beautiful thing.  With gas prices so low, a couple bucks can get you across state borders.  Cruise control is your best friend as you slowly pass 18-wheelers and ride through the countryside that separates America's intermittent metropolitan centers.  You know you've made it far enough when you see cows roaming 50 yards from the interstate.

When you're stuck in the car for so long, there's not much to do besides talk.  That's why road trip conversations are often the best.  Philosophical topics reach new depths as the participants exhaust every line of inquiry.  From movies, to politics, to romance, and back, there is no end to the road trip banter (except for the guy who fell asleep in the back seat).

As I touched on earlier, the music selection is of utmost importance.  A solid playlist could make or break the whole trip.  My friends are certainly getting sick of my 90's music, so a nice variety is probably a good idea.  Sing-alongs are always a strong choice; four guys belting the lyrics to "Where is the Love" never fails to entertain (don't forget to catch it on snapchat).  You don't have to be Justin Timberlake to put on a classic show on the road.

Of course, the best part of the road trip is that once you've reached your destination, the fun has only just begun.  In the end, road trips are like a reset, a welcome change of pace at the expense of daily routine.  When you get there, you'll surely be a little bit different than when you left.  I usually find that change to be for the better.  So, next time you're thinking of buying plane tickets, ask yourself if you might rather drive.  For me, the answer is almost always yes.