Rules for the Road
(How to Survive a Roadtrip)
by Maryl Neff |
Friends always wonder how I can sit in my car alone for days while driving some place far, far away. I've driven halfway across the country so many times that I've developed a system that makes the trips easy,
enjoyable, and worry-free.
| "I've developed a system that makes the trips easy,
enjoyable, and worry-free." |
-
The first thing I do is have my car checked and the oil changed. Unless
I've had this done in the last month, this is an absolute rule of the road.
I tell the mechanic I'm about to drive several thousand miles, and to please
check everything carefully. Of course, having a mechanic who can be trusted
— both with my car and my money — is a necessity.
- My second rule of the road is to ensure that my AAA (American
Automobile Association) membership is current. This gives me two
advantages. First, if my car breaks down, gets a flat tire, or runs out of gas,
it ensures that I'll always have someone to call for help.
Second, AAA members get free guidebooks to all the states that include
hotel, restaurant, and camping information as well as tips on sights worth
seeing. Members can also get maps and "triptiks" that show the best route
to a given destination with notes on current detours and other useful highway
information. Some hotels and tourist sites also offer AAA discounts. And — I admit to being a bit superstitious — if I have a current AAA card, I'm sure I won't need it.
- If I have friends or relatives who live at reasonable
stopping points within 100 miles of the route I'm taking, I contact them
to see if I can visit for a night. This kills two birds with one stone —
you can visit people you might not have seen for months or years, and you save big bucks.
- If I am going to
stay at a hotel, I seldom arrange for one ahead of time. I usually don't
know exactly how long I'll feel like driving. Not booking early gives me the option of
stopping when I want rather than where I have a reservation. Also, I can
drive up to the hotel/motel to see if it looks and feels safe before
deciding to stay.
- Even while driving through some of the most beautiful parts of the country, I get
bored. This is when I pull out the books-on-tape. These typically come in abridged
(shortened) and unabridged (the full book) versions and can last anywhere
from three to eight or more
hours.
I've gotten
books-on-tape at two reliable places without having to buy them.
The first is the public library. The typical check-out time is two to three weeks.
If I'm going to return within that time, this is the best place to get
the tapes. Libraries usually carry a fine selection of audiobooks.
The second place to
get a book-on-tape is at a Cracker Barrel store and restaurant, a
chain in most of the lower 48 states. Here it is necessary to pay the price
of the tape plus a small rental fee (about $3). After listening to the
book, the user can stop at another Cracker Barrel and turn it in for a
refund of the price of the book (as long as it is returned within seven days of the
rental date). Or, the book can be traded in for another at any
Cracker Barrel by paying another rental
fee.
The user can keep
doing this until ready to turn in the final book for the refund. If there's
no Cracker Barrel near your destination, you can mail the book to the
headquarters for a refund. Be sure to pick up a free map of store
locations at the checkout
counter.
| "Another way I like
to alleviate boredom is to take back roads through
small towns." |
- Another way I like
to alleviate boredom, when I have the time, is to take back roads through
small towns. Even a one- or two-hour detour can really break up the drive.
Also, there are always interesting museums, landmarks, or other sights to
see along the way. The AAA guidebook always lists some possibilities, and
signs are often found on the highways, too. Brown signs depict historic
sites and museums.
- After years of long
road trips, I finally settled on a rule about making stops on the way: I
stop whenever I feel like it. If I'm tired, hungry, or just need to stretch
my legs and breathe fresh air, I stop. These stops help me to stay fresh
and alert. If I don't stop along the way, I'm typically ready to quit
driving much earlier in the day because I'm worn out.
Most of my female
friends have never driven across their home states by themselves, let alone thousands of miles across the country. I do take some security precautions along the way. In addition to ensuring that my car is in good shape, stopping at populated rest areas, and driving during daylight hours, I also do these simple things:
- Keep the
car doors locked at all times
- Don't talk to strangers
- Wear casual clothing
that doesn't draw attention
- Don't stop in what appear to be rough
parts of towns or cities
- Don't pick up hitchhikers
- Finally, I leave my
itinerary with a friend or family member,
and if I'm staying at a hotel
rather than a friend's house,
I call someone so at least one other
person knows where I am.
Traveling the road
alone can be enjoyable and therapeutic — it allows a lot of time to think
and catch up on "reading." A little bit of planning goes a long way!
Maryl Neff is driving cross-country this very moment.
© 1998 Tripod, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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