Are You a Good Road Trip Companion?
What makes or breaks a fun road trip? An overly complicated route? Bad snacks? Endless traffic? A boring playlist? More often than not, it actually comes down to the people in the car. If you think you're the ideal travel buddy, you might not want to jump to that conclusion just yet. Here are 10 signs you might be a horrible road trip partner—and 10 that prove you're the perfect companion.
1. You Complain About Everything
You're a horrible road trip buddy if you're always complaining. You find fault everywhere, and you're not afraid to open your mouth and point them out. Whether it's the bumpy route, the cost of the trip, the itinerary, the music, the driving, the snacks... There's nothing you won't grumble about.
2. You Don't Pitch in for Gas
Another sign you're a terrible road trip buddy? You don't pitch in for gas. You can't expect someone to drive you the whole way but not offer anything in return. Splitting the gas isn't just about being a good friend; it's about being courteous.
3. You Don't Help Navigate
You don't only complain when the driver gets lost—you also don't help them navigate. And when you're not offering any extra guidance by using a GPS, you're only making it harder for the person behind the wheel. Plus, it'll lengthen your trip time if you're always circling around.
4. You Eat Messily
Not only are you not the one driving, you're also snacking constantly and getting your crumbs and stains everywhere. Worse yet, you don't even clean up after yourself, meaning the driver is the one who needs to pick up your crumpled wrappers and used napkins.
5. You Fall Asleep Right Away
Another sign that points to you being a terrible road trip buddy is if you fall asleep as soon as you strap yourself in. From there, you're dead to the world: you don't offer navigational guidance, you don't offer to drive, and you're not awake when troubles suddenly come up. You just expect to wake up and be at the destination.
6. You Don't Offer to Drive
Unless the drive is only an hour or two long, good road trip buddies offer to split the driving duties. It can be incredibly tiring to be behind the wheel for extended periods of time, especially at night, so if you don't take turns regularly, fatigue could creep in and make things dangerous.
7. You Hog the Music
A horrible road trip buddy is one who hogs the music. You might not think it's that serious, but a good playlist can make or break the vibe, and if you're always playing your own favorite tunes and not giving anyone else a turn, that will only make the atmosphere worse.
8. You Push Back Schedules & Avoid Planning
You're a terrible road trip buddy if you're always late and pushing back schedules. On top of that, you don't help out with planning the itinerary—you just expect to show up and be catered to. All that means is you bring the mood down.
9. You're Constantly Glued to Your Phone
Worse than someone who passes out in their seat as soon as they climb into the car is one who's constantly glued to their phone and still doesn't help out. If you have time to text or play games on your phone, you have time to help navigate and search for better routes.
10. You Always Need to Use the Bathroom
Sure: sometimes, you can't exactly help it when nature calls. But if you constantly need to use the bathroom and you're always asking the driver to pull over to a rest stop, you probably should either stop chugging so much water or you should've stayed at home.
Wondering if you're the perfect road trip buddy? Here are 10 signs you're the best travel partner one could ask for:
1. You Share Driving Duties
Hands down, a good road trip buddy is one who shares the driving duties. As we've mentioned, it can be incredibly hard to drive continuously for long periods of time, so if you can help drive a stretch of the route, offer to do so.
2. You're Better Than the GPS
You're an awesome road trip buddy if you don't only help guide the way with the GPS, but you're also throwing out suggestions yourself, such as for routes you're familiar with and know the secret shortcuts around. After all, your input could lead to an earlier arrival.
3. You Bring Great Snacks
Instead of hogging the snacks and leaving crumbs and stains everywhere, you're a great travel buddy if you bring the goodies and you share. From fruits and trail mix to chips and sandwiches, you're always prepared and will make sure no one goes hungry.
4. You're Punctual
This might seem like a small thing, but when you're planning a big road trip with a long drive, being punctual can make a huge difference. You're a great travel buddy if you're always ready to go when you're expected to be, and have overall good time management.
5. You're Always Well Prepared
You're the person people can count on to pack essentials no one even knew were needed. A minor cut? You have a first aid kit. A spill in the car? You're prepared with wet wipes. Dirty hands? You've got hand sanitizer. Whatever it is, you're probably carrying a solution.
6. You're Patient
You're not the type of road trip buddy who's always asking, "Are we there yet?" Instead, you're patient and forgiving, even if it takes more time to reach the destination than you had initially expected. You understand mishaps can happen on the road, and you know not to complain about things that no one has control over.
7. You're Flexible & Adaptable
When itineraries change, you're flexible and adaptable. You're an adventurer at heart, and you're okay with going with the flow when plans don't work out the first time around. After all, that's how the best memories are made: when things don't follow a set route.
8. You Know How to Document the Trip Well
Another sign you're a great road trip buddy? You know how to document the trip well. You don't have the be the world's best photographer or videographer, but you're not just sitting there in the car with your phone. Instead, whenever possible, you're capturing every precious moment for everyone to look back on.
9. You Offer Helpful Input & Advice
More than just offering navigational advice, you're there with ideas and options when random troubles pop up on the road. After all, two heads are better than one, so you're never one to stay quiet and clueless when help is needed.
10. You Bring the Vibes
Another sign of a good road trip buddy? You bring the vibes! You have a great sense of humor, know how to keep conversations in the car upbeat and interesting, and you're simply just fun to have around. No road trip is complete without you in the car.
