Thursday | May 24, 2012
College Road Trip Guide
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By
Meghan Hoover
14 August 2006
Oh, the stories you come back with after a good 26-hour road trip to Key West, Fla. And yes, what happens in Florida, STAYS in Florida. Well, you hope.
While road-tripping keeps down costs, creates inevitable party conversation, and is more or less easy to plan; there is definitely room for big time mistakes. I have road-tripped all over the country and the world, but one of my most memorable road trips was spring break of 2003. So I will share a few stories, giving a few travel dos and don’ts. A lot of this advice is common sense, but because I am blond, it took some mistakes to make me learn. Perhaps a few readers can relate.
It was spring break of our freshman year when my four closest friends and I decided we wanted to take a road trip. Really, that was all we could afford. Thankfully, one of my friends had a van so we didn’t have to rent one and we could all fit. We even had our checklist and logistics of worst case scenarios figured out.
Tip #1: Do figure out the worst case scenario details. You should be prepared for a least a little something to go wrong.
We decided that 1) if the driver was pulled over, that person paid for the ticket, 2) if there was a car accident that was the driver’s fault, the driver would pay for the damages, 3) if there was an accident that was someone else’s fault, well, insurance would hopefully cover it, if not, we would split the difference.
We left from Beloit, Wis. (home of Beloit College) at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Why did we leave that early? We wanted to avoid traffic. As soon as we all gathered at the car, at three in the morning, there were problems. We were exhausted, grumpy and no one wanted to start the drive. So we decided to rock, paper, scissor it out. I lost, as always, so I started the drive. I wanted to drive. Plus, I was excited! I had my stolen food from our cafeteria, money ($350), a hot new bikini, Plato’s "The Immortality of the Soul." Spring break was going to be awesome!
Tip #2: Get gas money IN THE BEGINNING. Plan on going over budget for gas. Gas prices fluctuate in every state and, especially now, the prices are always going up. But you don’t want to be covering someone’s butt on the way back because they already spent all their money.
We decided before leaving that everyone would put cash into a gas jar. This was smart. I filled up the tank ($32). We were on our way. I was cruise-controlling it at 90 mph figuring a cop wouldn’t be out at this time. We were and hour into the trip when I got stopped by police. Thankfully, I talked myself out a ticket, but my friends weren’t happy. I thought it was funny. They yelled and kicked me out the captain’s chair.
Tip #3: Don’t speed. Tickets are expensive and driving faster uses more gas; therefore, more money. You’ll save only a couple of hours speeding anyway. Plus, it’s unsafe!
So my friend took over driving, planning to drive five hours, then switch – a good plan. However, minutes after she started driving, it started to rain. First, just a little, then it poured. She didn’t want to drive anymore, no one wanted to drive, so I got back in the driver’s seat.
Tip #4: Look at the weather prior to a big road trip. If weather is bad, turn on the radio, pull over or call someone that can turn on the TV to the weather report.
It poured off and on for a good three hours. Then when the sun started to rise, it was about 6.30-ish, the rain stopped but the fog set in. I didn’t want to continue driving because the visibility was horrible and fog is really dangerous. So I pulled off on the next exit. No one thought that was a good idea telling me, "Meghan, come on, we still have 22 hours to go. Why are we pulling off?!" I didn’t care. I was not going to drive, neither was anyone else.
Tip#5: In fog, pull off the road, not onto the shoulder, take an exit and wait. Fog is very dangerous weather to drive in. So don’t rush it.
As I slowly drove onto the ramp, I saw a dim light in front of me. I slowed down even more, but as soon as I put on my breaks; there was a car right in front of me. I swerved into the shoulder, but I hit him – gently might I add. Now my friends were really mad, especially the one who’s car it was. Thankfully, there was no real damage, to either car. Ours had a bit of black paint and a sexy little bump, but besides that, it was fine. But my friends kicked me out of the driver’s seat again. I was just trying to save lives, sorry.
Tip #6: No matter what one of your friends says, don’t push yourself to drive hours and hours. It’s unsafe and stupid. Plus, you should share the wealth. Driving is fun!
The rest of the trip was more or less fine. I did get stopped again after we’d driven about 16 hours though. Again, no ticket. But I think I’ve learned that I have a heavy foot.
We finally arrived after about 26 hours of driving. The beginning was hell, but now, it makes for a really good story. Actually, I thought it was funny the whole time, no one else did, but I have a weird sense of humor. In conclusion, enjoy the road, plan well, be safe and don’t forget your friends.
Meghan Hoover is the publisher of Authentic Travel, a student-created, student-run magazine. To learn more or to submit your own travel story to the magazine, visit www.at-mag.com.
© 2008, Young Money Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
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