Here are my tips:

1. Get plenty of sleep the night before. You may find this hard if you’re excited about the trip. Seeing family and friends or a place you have always wanted to go to can make it hard to sleep, but it’s an important part of the trip.

2. Check your vehicle, including tires, fluids, battery, etc. There’s nothing worse than your vehicle breaking down in the middle of the highway 10 miles away from an exit in either direction. I know, I’ve been there. If you don’t think your vehicle is in a condition to make it at least twice as far as you plan to go, then rethink your travel plans.

3. Don’t be afraid to stop along the way. Most guys make a contest out of how long it takes for them to drive a certain distance. We tend to brag about how quick we made the trip or how we didn’t stop the whole way. This is a mistake. The rest stops are there for a reason, use them. Get out of your car, walk around a bit, stretch, go to the bathroom, etc. This will make you less tired when you reach your destination. One suggestion here, look for rest stops that have 24 hour security, especially at night. these places tend to attract less than honest people sometimes. If it looks run down or no security, move on to the next one.

4. I can’t say enough about GPS systems. These things are probably one of the best inventions ever. They are cheap, easy to use, and can save you a ton of time. Alot of cell phones today have this feature available. I highly suggest the use of one. Some even have an option that will tell you when the traffic is backed up and offer alternate routes.

5. When stopping for gas, don’t go to the stations right next to the interstate. These tend to have the highest prices. Going even one mile into a town can save you as much as $0.10 per gallon. Use these stops to check your tire pressures, fluids, and other vital functions of your vehicle.

6. If you have a cruise control, use it. It has been proven that driving at a steady speed saves gas. Don’t set it for more than 5mph over the speed limit.

Bring a few small snacks so you don’t have to stop when just one person in the car is hungry.

Always have napkins to its the worst when you spill something and you have nothing to clean it up with

Always bring some change to you will never know when you cell phone won’t have service and you have to use a Payphone

Anyways I always wanted to feel the feeling of going on a road trip because i have never been on one and i would have liked to see what you did in Iowa.

Anyways if i were to go on a road trip i would take alot of things with me in order to stay cool.

1. First i would take my iPod like you suggested and bring my iPod car charger and my iPod cord charger. i have over 2300 songs on my iPod and they are all worth listening to during those long drives to the destination.

2. Bring your cameras of course in order to capture memories

3. Make sure you bring you power converter for your laptop and make sure you bring enough dvd’s for the trip.

4. Bring people who you know wont cause trouble for you on your road trip, like bring your best friend and family together for the trip.

5. Finally bring enough food and don’t forget about the chips and please dont get lost when your on the road trip please use google maps or mapquest follow the street signs and follow the road rules.

6. Oops almost forgot, Check your car for oil every 20000miles to make sure your good for another 20000.

This is or these are the tips i would use for the road trip i would go on but until that happens i guess i will have to wait till i get a car and drive it.

Good job Chris and keep up the vids.

However, even with a thorough car check, things can still go wrong with your car, either mechanical or murphy’s law–think deer, road debris, etc–that can leave you stranded. It’s amazing how well you’re car can pick the most remote spot w/o cell coverage to fall apart.

So, I would also add some emergency items: 1)water–to drink, for first-aid, for radiator, etc; 2) emergency car kit–like the one Costco has which include flashlight, flares, fix-a-flat, jumper cables, etc.–pieces we’ve had to use at one time or another; 3) snacks/protein bars–something to tide you over if you have to wait on the side of the road.

Anyway, hope you have a great trip. More than likely you won’t run into anything, but can’t hurt to be a little cautious. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, this was before I got a smart phone with mobile Google Maps loaded; a definite addition on any long trip.