Travel Tips

JL_BorgesJL_Borges
in General

Hi, Cuddle Community,

I am moving from southern Arizona to northern Maryland, and today I am starting my long journey. I’m in no hurry, and plan on stopping in Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and Nashville, at least. So I’ll be taking I40 most of the way.

I’m hoping for some of your favorite travel tips for a long car trip. Whacha got for me? ❤️🥳

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Comments

  • NarnahNarnah

    If you get to hit Springfield Missouri there's a few good places to see. There is the world's biggest fork. LOL

  • w8ed_blanketw8ed_blanket
    edited July 2023

    ESCAPE THE HEAT! Safe travels!!! I've only been to Santa Fe. Skip Oklahoma and come down a bit south for Texas BBQ and to check one of the biggest gas stations at Buc-Ee's! The food and snacks are actually pretty decent.

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    I was going to say minimize your belongings, but your trip has already started. :)

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    Drive on the RIGHT hand side of the road. I found driving in the USA noticeably easier once I figured that out.

  • w8ed_blanketw8ed_blanket

    @CuddleDuncan, would you rather take on the Swindon Roundabout or US highways? :tongue:

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel
    edited July 2023

    I have traveled my entire life as I was military brat growing up. First, time your trips so you don’t hit major metro areas between 6-8 AM or 4-6 PM as these hours are at the height of rush hour.

    Use hotel parking lots to cat nap if needed. Rest stops are dangerous.

    Don’t get any mega sized drinks as you will constantly be stopping to whizz later.

    If something catches your interest and it’s not planned—do it. You may never pass that way again.

    Get the gas buddy app for best gas prices.

    Hopefully you have AAA in case of trouble

    In the summer you should have water in the car in case you break down and are stranded.

    Great time to listen to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast. Some episodes are over 5 hours but they are fantastic. Even if you are a history buff you will learn something or discover a book to read from the show.

    Playlists are great but audiobooks are immersive and fun too.

    Take short walks 2 or 3 stops a day for no other reason than it prevents circulation issues and it’s good for your heart.

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @CuddleDuncan 😂😂 I know what you mean. I’ve driven in England and Ireland and it was an befuddling experience for me.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    @w8ed_blanket I haven't driven around the 'Magic Roundabout' in Swindon, but I have been round smaller examples of the same kind of junction. They are one of these things which are much easier in practice than they are in theory.

    @JL_Borges the hardest thing is driving on the wrong side of the road from the correct (i.e. wrong) side of the car. Driving a British car on the continent for example. Driving an American car in America (or a British car in Britain) is relatively easy because everything is reversed. But if you are in the wrong kind of car for the road .... it's kind of like looking in a mirror where everything in the room is switched (like a normal mirror) but you aren't.

  • touchstarved87touchstarved87

    For long trips I like hang onto a 5 hour energy, incase i need to stave off road fatigue. Either go in with a playlist large enough to cover 150% of your distance, or a few to cycle as you hit rests. Don't go over 5 above posted limits. (My coasting speed) enjoy the alone time and judgment free snacking 😉 treat yourself!

  • biggirlcuddlerbiggirlcuddler

    Take your time where you can. Let your body tell you when it’s time to stop.. enjoy it, have great music along the way or conversations to keep ya alert. You’re not here yet, but welcome to Maryland. Stay safe!!

  • AllAboutSoulAllAboutSoul

    I take a water pill, so I have to stop regularly. Helps keep my feet from swelling, too.

  • ReynerdReynerd

    Have a fun and safe trip! Trust your gut if you thinks something’s up and you need to take rest. Long drives alone can be hard so I’m sending a virtual hug! 🫂 Keep your self hydrated enough but not to a point you’ll need to stop every 2 hrs. Lol oh yeah and try new music outside of your preference for ultimate road trip experience! 😁

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @Narnah the world’s biggest fork as a tourist attraction is weird enough for me to want to see. Lamentably, I won’t be passing through, or nearby, Jefferson. Thanks for the tip, though. Oh, and if you ever want to see the world’s first McDonald’s drive-thru, it’s in Sierra Vista, AZ.

  • SSRequiescenceSSRequiescence

    I usually have a playlist set including music I don’t listen to everyday so whenever I hear the song again I think of my travels and create memories. I also listen to audiobooks as well

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @w8ed_blanket Thanks for the invitation to Texas. As luck would have it, I’ve already visited the behemoth known as Buc-EE’s on the east side of Dallas. I never considered that one day I might be genuinely impressed by a gas station, but I was. It’s a lot more than just gas. I am visiting friends in OKC, so the route is pretty nonnegotiable.

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @CuddleHugs01234 great tip. I did downsize while packing. I had recently binged the show Hoarders, so I might have actually over-purged. Hope I don’t regret it.

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @BoomerSpooner Yes! I’m prepared for a lot of that, but the hotel parking lot for a snooze location is fantastic. I’m also going to find that podcast and a couple of books to listen to. Thanks!

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    I am going to Springfield MO next week. I think I might make that a photo stop.

    https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/12188

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery
    edited July 2023

    A few more tips I haven't seen mentioned:

    • Love's Truck Stops have THE cleanest bathrooms, far better than any rest stop or other gas station. They're common along the major interstates, including I-40, so planning bathroom breaks at them is relatively easy and it makes the trip so much more pleasant.
    • it's far better to pull over and take a nap than to OD on caffeine or get too drowsy while driving. Sometimes just getting out and talking a walk to get circulation going and fresh air can be enough, but if not it's better to get some sleep than to risk an accident.
    • rest stops can be safe to sleep at, as can truck stops, if they are busy. Beware empty lots. Sure, the bustle means more noise, but it also means more people and safety. Be careful if choosing to sleep in hotel lots - check for signage and be aware staff may ask you to leave. And again, busier lots with more lighting = safer.
    • if you ever find yourself in trouble out in the middle of nowhere without cell service, you can use a piece of brightly colored clothing to flag down a truck driver. They're more apt to help stranded motorists than random cars, are more experienced on the road in general, and have their CB radios to call in help from a network of other drivers and any nearby sheriffs.
    • after a long day of driving, if you can afford it treat yourself to a sit down meal with plenty of fresh veggies or hit up a local supermarket for a ready made salad. The traditional roadtrip foods and fast food tend to be super fat, simple carb, and salt heavy, and so having a lighter meal with lots of water and fiber filled veggies and some protein can really help set you up better for the next day. I like to stop at restaurants or stores that have salad bars especially and make myself giant kitchen-sink style salads.
  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @JL_Borges You can’t over purge. Coming from the daughter of a person who kept too much. One reason I love to get rid of stuff. Happy light travels!

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @BoomerSpooner thanks got the hotel parking nap tip. I’ll be using that! I have parked at restaurants before.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @CuddleHugs01234 Yeah and I should clarify that you pick chain hotels because they have cameras. I have never been asked to leave mainly because they have other things to worry about and a cat nap is usually under an hour. Many states have also outlawed sleeping at rest stops because there are a couple of unsolved serial murders in multiple states, many solved murders and of course Michael Jordan’s dad was infamously murdered at a rest stop. I worked for a company that had its own fleet of OTR rigs back in the 90s and one of our guys was sleeping in one at a rest stop in Colorado or New Mexico back in 1998 and someone knocked on his window and shotgunned him in the face and stole the rig. He had three kids under 6.

    There are inherent dangers at rest stops. AAA issued a warning about rest stops several years ago because the crime got so bad.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    Also, if you can’t wait for a hotel parking lot with cameras and you are on a turnpike the service plazas do allow overnight stays in your car and they generally have a LE officer or two on the premises and are frequently patrolled by state officers. In addition there is lighting, cameras and food.

  • JL_BorgesJL_Borges

    @touchstarved87 done and done. Thank you.

  • quixotic_lifequixotic_life

    @BoomerSpooner ~ That's terrifying!! There's one rest stop I've slept at multiple times along I-5 and never felt worried there (it's off a round about on a hill overlooking the valley, with really tidy bathrooms and well manicured grounds). But now I'm not so sure I'd go that route.

    @JL_Borges ~ More recently, I called into a small buiness with a fairly empty parking lot and explained I needed a nap and asked if I could park in their shade for a bit (letting them know which car I was in too). They said yes and I felt like they were kinda keeping an eye on me for my safety. So a sort of double win for me on that one.

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @BoomerSpooner Thanks for the additional info.
    A question: what’s a service plaza?
    Never heard of that before.

  • AllAboutSoulAllAboutSoul

    @CuddleHugs01234 "Service plaza" generally is a rest stop on steroids: restaurant(s), travel info, gift shops, etc. (on the turnpikes.)

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    @CuddleHugs01234 heres some pics of a one on Ohio turnpike …

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

  • CharlieBearCharlieBear Mod

    @cudbud64
    Omg look at that photo that @OhioMike posted above. I need to go there.

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