Travel from New York to Los Angeles is basically the ultimate dream when it comes to a road trip. You get to canvas the whole country and see it all, and you get to do it on your own time. As you travel between the two biggest coastal cities in the United States, you’ll be much happier if you have a set game plan in mind. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be spontaneous, only that you aren’t throwing caution to the wind entirely. Use this guide to get your road trip off the ground, so you can get where you’re going and have a little fun on the journey.
Preparation Is Key
Whether you’re planning on stopping every 20 minutes or doing the trip in just a few days, preparation is key. Let’s say you’re moving with your family across the country to start a new job and a new life in sunny Los Angeles. Your spouse’s driving makes you a little batty and you know your patience will be more than a little tested when you’re in tight quarters with them. (As if you needed any more reasons not to drive with your husband or wife!)
Instead of leaving your spouse behind though, there are a few other alternative options that don’t involve calling a divorce lawyer. One of the best ways to counteract these inevitable frustrations may lie in taking an NYC defensive driving course together. Make it a joint effort as you both attempt to get into the right mind space before taking off. Driving across the country is very different from driving across town, and sometimes it’s necessary to brush up on your skills before attempting such an epic voyage.
Bring on the Entertainment
If you’re not sure if you have enough music to get you out of the state let alone around the nation, it’s time to make distractions your number one priority. No matter how much a person loves road trips, no one is immune from the hypnotizing effects of the road. The more you give into that desire to start zoning out, the less safe everyone in the car will be. Make sure that you have plenty of music or podcasts that will keep you energized and engaged when on the road.
You can also let everyone pick their favorite travel game, and let people play right when the boredom is really reaching new heights. Unless of course, you’re afraid that the competition will turn all the passengers into crazed hyenas all vying to be number one.
Pick Your Route
Going the fastest route from NYC to LA will take a driver about 41 hours total, but sometimes it’s far more about the route you take than it is about the destination. Don’t be afraid to go out of the way and explore a little more. Always wanted to see the south? Dip down a little farther so you can drive through the bottom states to take in a little Southern hospitality. Want to spend a few nights gambling? Stick with the standard route and you’ll go straight to the fabulous Las Vegas strip. (Make it a priority to catch a sunset over the Rockies if you take that route.) Or you can always choose to spend time in the Northern states before you come down the Pacific Northwest Coast. This incredible patch of land lets you see the states, but the real joy is being on the Pacific Coast Highway. This long-stretching bit of road is the very definition of pleasure driving.