1. HAVE A ROUGH PLAN

We were able to drive 7,500kms from Calgary to California and back in 12 days because  of the itinerary I had planned out. If you have a deadline it's best to have some rough schedule of locations and stops planned out, along with what hotel/campground you'll be staying at.

2. DON'T BE STRICT TO A SCHEDULE

Road trips are about having fun! While I like to plan out every detail of a road trip I'm quite flexible for changes while we're on the road. We loved San Diego so much we stayed an extra night while forfeiting a day on the Pacific Coast Highway.

3. HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT

We always have a first aid kit in the car, along with extra water, food, and blankets. If you're driving in winter conditions, boots, jackets, and gloves are mandatory. 

4. KNOW THE WEATHER FORECAST

On our drive back from Seattle we had no idea the weather forecast from Vancouver through the Rocky Mountains to Calgary. This was a BIG mistake! I have never been so terrified in my life as driving back through a blizzard with visibility of 1ft. The only other vehicles on the road were 18-wheelers!

5. HAVE A WORKING GPS

That same trip to Seattle our GPS took us off the main highway and onto back roads. Had we not stopped for dinner the GPS would have taken us into the backcountry of Washington in February, not an ideal situation! 

6. TAKE MUSIC

When you're hours away from the nearest town and you don't have satellite radio you may find the radio no longer working. Take along a few cds (do people still use cds?) or your ipod/phone to keep the jams going! What are your favourite road trip songs?

7. PACK LIGHT
I should take my own word of advice on this one. Packing light keeps room for all the souvenirs you'll pick up along the way! And if you're a Canadian like me travelling to the United States, then you need room for shopping!

8. KEEP AN EYE ON THE GAS

My Husband has a horrible time remembering to check the gas light! Many times we've been a stones throw away from being stranded on a highway or the middle of nowhere.

9. SMILE WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG

Something is bound to go wrong, just keep smiling!

10. KEEP SOMEONE IN THE LOOP

Like all trips it's best to keep your family or friends in on where you're going to be!