Roadtripology

Looking to take a road trip? Maybe a week long trip or a year long trip, maybe sponsored or not, maybe solo or with a few friends. It’s never too late. There are a million ways to road trip and there are a million ways to do something new and exciting. A lot of people have come up to me for advice on how to take trips of their own and this is what I have to offer…

What are your passions, interests, and hobbies? How can you integrate those into your trip? For me I merged my advertising and sociology degrees, love of photograph and web design, and my passion to write and document. Maybe it’s a sport you love, an art, beaches, sunsets, a certain type of music, or anything else. There’s a lot going on in the country, you could probably even pick a Raspberry in all 50 states if you so desired.

When I was in Oxford, MS there was a strange little coincidence. A man had written a column about when he was younger him and his friend planned a trip to travel across the United States for the summer. He even said they were going to make the drive with a Jeep. They were a little short on money and ended up getting jobs and the summer swept away. Talked to him on the phone briefly and was inspired that someone shared the same idea. Don’t be afraid to give things up, make a sacrifice, or to be a few dollars short. With good intentions come good things and it all works out in the end.

Use your resources! Talk to every teacher or professor you have ever had. And even if it’s the most ridiculous idea, take it professionally. Write up a detailed proposal of your plan, write some press releases, contact companies, organizations, publications, and leaders in areas that relate to your trip. This carries a long, long ways.

There are a lot of practical tips that can be listed to fill a book. Things like bringing lots of music, a camera, and having a tent and sleeping bag just incase. Keep some junk food in the car and don’t even think about being on a diet while you’re roadtripping. People will bring you out to eat large amounts of ridiculously good food over and over again. Just eat all you can and work it off at the end of the trip.

Most of all never back down. You need a lot of passion and determination. Live hard. Sleep well. Enjoy.