Bring the good snacks

Go to the grocery store and stock up on snacks before you go. You don’t want to waste money buying overpriced junk food at the gas station. And plus, you don’t have to contend with a limited selection that way. Look for options with less plastic packaging and more sustainable ingredients where you can.

Make plans while leaving room for spontaneity

Take a look at your route, and see what there is to see along the way. It’s a good idea to have some thoughts on what way you want to go, but you can still keep your plan open enough to follow the scenic byways, stop to see the world’s largest ball of yarn, or visit a new national park along the way.

Get your car ready to roll

If you have an oil change coming up, it’s a good idea to take care of it ahead of time. Have the shop check your fluids, rotate your tires and give your car a once over while you’re at it. Or you can take a look under the hood yourself. Just make sure everything looks good before you hit the open road.

Don’t forget the accessories

Phone charger, neck pillow and back support, dashboard phone mount, check! Don’t forget to bring the essentials that will keep your drive comfortable and stress-free. And it saves you money and reduces waste when you bring them from home instead of buying them on the road.

Take the back roads

The interstates can get you from point A to point B as fast as possible. But often you can get a much more well-rounded experience when you take the scenic route. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the Google Maps directions and explore, especially where scenic routes and points of interest are concerned.

Be realistic about how far you can make it

When you’re road trip planning, it’s easy to overestimate how far you can drive in a day. When you start making stops, the time to your destination starts increasing. Don’t overdo it by committing to big-mileage days you won’t be able to sustain. That can turn a good trip into a rush to make it to a destination on time.

Think about regenerative travel

Slow down, save your recycling for when you find a bin, shop local, and get off the interstate and into town for food and lodging when you can. When you’re slowing down and taking the scenic route more, your fuel efficiency goes up. That eco perk gives you the ability to stop and stay for longer when you find an ideal home base.

Starry Night Lodging keeps regenerative practices at the top of the priority list. So no matter how you travel, you can find a stay to suit you and your exploration style along the way. Find a place to stay, and hit the road.