In T-Minus seven days, I embark on the 20 hour drive from Dallas to Las Vegas. Yes, 20 hour drive. When I graduated college, I drove 24 hours from Lubbock, Texas to Raleigh, North Carolina so this ain't my first rodeo. And when I moved to Dallas a few months later, I drove the 19 hours from Raleigh to Dallas. Me and my ass are not really looking forward to being in a car that long, but I am kind of excited about having that time to clear my mind and just think by myself.
I started thinking yesterday about what I needed for the trip, so naturally, I made a blog post out of it. Here are my eight road trip essentials:
And my essentials explained:
I leave you with two questions:
1. Did I leave anything crucial off my list?
And more importantly,
2. What songs should I put on my playlist? ♪♪
Have a good drive! Every time I moved to college, I always played "Wide open spaces" (Dixie Chicks, I think) ... I think it would be fitting for your trip :)
ReplyDeleteYou can always call me if you need to stay awake!
Looks like you have a perfect list to keep yourself safe and comfy during that drive. I know for me, I have to have fast paced music when I start to get tired. and Skrillex usually does the trick :)
ReplyDeleteI did a post just like this last year after our 36 hour road trip (Atlanta to OC)! One thing you may want is the app iExit. It tells you what restaurants/gas stations are coming up at each exit. It really came in handy when we drove through long stretches of nothing, where there were no gas stations for miles! And of course to find the closest Starbucks. :)
ReplyDeleteThe other thing is for books on CD. You can rent them at Cracker Barrel and then return them when you're done. It's much cheaper than buying them!
Good list!
ReplyDeleteFor the music you should put everything Alex Clare, Florence + The Machine, St. Vincent's album Strange Mercy.
You forgot hand sanitizer but that's the germ freak in me talking. Maybe some face wipes? I always carry those with me on car trips. The scent and coolness helps wake me up. Good luck and drive safe!
ReplyDeleteHands free headset to yap on the phone! This gets me through long trips.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of essentials!! Maybe you can get one of those pillow donut things to sit on - Just THINKING about 20 hours in the car is making my ass hurt! Ouch!
ReplyDeleteDo you like country music? If so, download some of Corey Smith's music for your playlist! His stuff has been a roadtrip must for me since college.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree 100% about sunflower seeds! I can't travel without them :)
So fun that you made a list! Love everything and good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what kind of music you like but Rob Zombie/White Zombie always energizes me. I also recommend Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, the Josie & the Pussycats soundtrack, or any Jock Jams (for a good laugh at least)! Have fun :)
ReplyDeleteSunflower seeds and luna bars may be healthy and all, but YOU NEED SOME CANDY. I suggest twizzlers, York peppermint patties, and gummy bears.
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to comedy on long road trips. Download David Cross's "Shut Up You Fucking Baby" or Margaret Cho or something.
I'll be thinking about jams for your playlist . . . gotta come up with some good ones.
put some mindy gledhill on your playlist! She's great to listen to while driving! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love listening to music on long road trips that I haven't heard for a while, and lately, I have been loving Pandora's 90s Pop Radio station. If you can't count on having service for the entire trip to use Pandora, listen while packing and then download some of the songs you hear!
ReplyDeleteRemember to have some cash in case you have to stop at a place where debit/credit cards aren't accepted. I never usually carry cash, so I learned this lesson the hard way.
I can't find anything better than Target sunglasses. I mean, I AM cheap as hell so I probably wouldn't pay more anyway, but I love that mine are perfect AND 5.99 so when I inevitable break them whilst drunk it isn't a big deal.
ReplyDeletevictim by 'win win' ... i confess, i heard the soung on magic mike, but i love that shiz. annnnd, you used to live in raleigh? me tooooo! have fun. i've spent the last 2 years driving 6 hrs. round trip just about every weekend. I say plenty of gum. i chew my road rage out. spit it out the window, and get a new piece.
ReplyDeleteahhhh have a safe drive! im so happy for you girl and will need your new vegas address when you get one so i can send vegas showgirls to your place! kidding ;-)
ReplyDeleteyour list looks perfecto!! Hmmm one thing i find that passes time is having Sirius satellite radio!! even if its not hooked up in your car already, you can DL the app for your iphone! think its like 10$ a month and OMG some of the channels are STELLAR!
for my 10 hour drive to ohio to see katie and stepy and jess, i listened to playboy radio which has amazing advice shows, sex talks, lots of interesting stuff that isnt really raunchy as people may think haah (okay except after 10pm it transitions to sexy stories) but other talk stations...comedy stations...everything is awesome and makes time fly!!
so excited for you girl!! youre gonna rock their socks off in vegas!!!
xoxox
i forgot to mention you can do sirius like a 3 month free trial rather than 10 buckaroos a month!!
ReplyDeletemuah!
xoxo
Looks like a good list to me...but please tell me you're not driving the entire 20 hours in one stretch. I'd die after 10 - that's the longest drive I've ever done and even then, after 10 hours I had to pull over and take a power nap.
ReplyDeleteI agree with whoever said you need candy. Screw being healthy - driving that far is torture, so indulging in candy/fast food just for those 20 hours is NOT gonna kill you. Just saying.
girl, I just went to vegas for the first time and I have to commend you--I could NEVER live there! I barely survived 3 days!! Have a WONDERFUL trip, and enjoy this new chapter!!
ReplyDelete*after 5 hours.
ReplyDeleteI saw on your instagram yesterday - WOW 20 hours is A LOT!! Another thing I like to do is download podcasts!oh and vote for pandora too!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new adventure... I think some Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces and Whitesnake's Here I Go Again would be appro :) Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteHope you have an amazing trip! This is a great list. I always make sure I have cash on hand (as a never due, usually) after an unfortunate middle of no where abandoned highway gas station only takes cash experience.
ReplyDeleteBut that happens like... never.
Have fun!
I just discovered Imagine Dragons a few months ago, and they are spectacular! Radioactive is one of the greatest songs ever...it gets straight into your soul
ReplyDeleteI just discovered Imagine Dragons a few months ago, and they are spectacular! Radioactive is one of the greatest songs ever...it gets straight into your soul
ReplyDelete"waking up in vegas" by good ol' katy perry. i believe it is only fitting? no?
ReplyDeleteKelly Clarksons; "darkside" love it.
"some nights" by f.u.n.
pink "blow me" it will definitely keep you awake
jason aldean "take a little ride"
flo rida "whistle"
just to name a few
"Pontoon" by Little Big Town...just cause I love that song right now. You're a strong lady cause I'd never make the trip alone or in 1 shot!
ReplyDeleteif i lived in dallas i would be happy to split up this drive with you.
ReplyDeletep.s. luna bars? really?
Wow lady that is a long drive! Safe travels! Looks like your list is pretty good :) Can you please tell me what program you're using to make your lists and stuff on now? I was all about Picnik but now that it's gone I havent been able to find anything easy and fun to use?? Can you please share?? I love yours! Thank you!! XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteSome nights is a good one! And New Soul by Yael Naim always makes me smile! Its a good soul happy feeling song!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered where your sunnies were from! Gonna need to go get a pair of those babies :) Obvs you've gotta have some Gavin on your playlist! I suggest Sweeter and Radiation as two upbeat options!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've always wondered what progrem you use to make collages and such on your blog? I use polyvore for some stuff but I love the font you use for your Friday Faves stuff!
Looks like you have everything you need :) HAHA - I love eating sunflower seeds on road trips, I always drive my husband CRAZY! Good Luck :)
ReplyDeleteIf I had to make that drive, a travel essential would be a friend...and I would pay for her flight back home! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely yes to sunglasses, one time I forgot them and the trip up in the sun was miserable. I love your list, lots of good ideas and reminders!
ReplyDeleteIf you like T-Swift..her new single is crazy good! 'We are never getting back together' I could listen to it for daysss!
ReplyDelete♥ Samantha
http://busysweetlife.blogspot.com/
i did the 26 hour drive back and forth from Baylor (in waco, tx) to my home in D.C many times :) pretty much had everything on your list plus some red bull :) and made sure to only do 7-8 hours a day and stay in a couple nice hotels. Always good to have that to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteIt's 11:51 and I'm just getting to blog comments for today...My priorities are clearly very much in order--sleep when I'm dead.
ReplyDeleteI'm still playing Lupe Fiasco's Lasers from two springs ago. Ancient, I know.
But, get the 50 Shades audiobooks because that took me through a 16 hour flight to Hawaii bada-bing.
Oh, and I know you're on the health kick with me, but roadtrips require a sugary stash just in case you hit that midday wall and just cannot drive another mile without a piece of licorice. Not that that's ever happened to me at all..
I'm so excited for you! Be safe sweetheart!! <3
ReplyDeleteI think you should put a bunch of "Vegas" themed songs on your playlist! Or a lot of Wayne Newton? LOL! And then some classics you can just sing at the top of your lungs..... "Bohemian Rhapsody" anyone??
ReplyDeleteMy one must-have for a car trip (that isn't on your list already)...Advil or tylenol or something like that. Also, such a nerd, but double-check that all your necessary "info" is up to date and accurate (in terms of having the proof on hand)...like car insurance, registration, AAA card/info if you have it, etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have time for this but I borrow book cds from the library, load them on to my computer and then to my iPhone and listen to them that way. Then you don't have to buy the book cd/tape. Just an idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting! I LOVE long drives and I especially love long moves!! It sounds like you've got it all covered and you're also prepared for worst case scenarios which is also good!
ReplyDelete90's music always does the trick for road trips. Do I even need to list them? Anything by The Real McCoy and anything by Ace of Base... Good luck with all the last minute things!!!! :)
Other helpful roadtrip stuff I saw today:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.savvysugar.com/Best-Apps-Save-Money-Road-Trips-24675745?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+savvysugar+%28SavvySugar+--++It+Makes+Sense.%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Save-Money-Road-Trips-3399264?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+savvysugar+%28SavvySugar+--++It+Makes+Sense.%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
eeeeeeeeeek i'm so excited for you! you're going to love it in las vegas!
ReplyDeletei totally agree with your must have list, you didn't miss a beat!
I don't know how I missed this, good luck honey boo boo
ReplyDelete