keys to a successful road trip
I’m not really a road trip kind of gal. Due to my overwhelmingly lazy nature, I’m almost always looking for the quickest and easiest way to get somewhere. However, with my two week trek across Eastern Europe approaching quicker than my bank account can catch up, I decided it was time to save a few pennies. Luckily, post-TBEX Toronto, I realized I could catch a ride back with some NYC-bound friends. Naturally, I jumped on the opportunity.
And so began my eight-hour backseat adventure, driving from Toronto, Canada to New York City. Along the way, I learned a few important tidbits to keep in mind for all future road trips.
Know what you’re getting in to.
When we planned our weekend in Toronto, driving home sounded like the easiest way to save a few bucks, not to mention eliminating the nuisances of catching a flight and dealing with checked luggage and security lines. What we didn’t plan on (very, very stupidly) was how hungover and terrible we would feel after two days of non-stop socializing, eating, and most of all, drinking. In hindsight, an eight hour drive home felt even more daunting than going through customs at the airport.
Work the buddy system.
Long road trips are clearly not as fun if you’re driving them by yourself. Luckily for me, I had my good friend Erin from The World Wanderer sharing the backseat with me. This meant that at hour four, when things could have gone from bored to mind-numbingly painful, I had someone to talk with and pass the time.
Remember that calories don’t count (and that’s a fact).
Did you know that calories consumed in the backseat of a car don’t count towards your daily caloric intake? It’s true. I read it somewhere. I say, if you have to be in the car for eight hours (or any amount of time over one hour, really), you should at least be able to enjoy some comfort food. We went with leftover poutine, coffee, Tim Hortons donuts, and a late night stop at McDonalds.
Expect some surprises!
I knew most of our drive would be through rural upstate New York. I wasn’t expecting much scenery, besides the rogue Tim Hortons and a whole lot of dark highway. As we neared the Canadian/US border, I was so busy formulating my responses to the customs agent’s tough questions, that I didn’t even notice our surroundings until our driver told me to look to my right!
Niagra Falls!
In real life! In all its glory.
xo,
the wino
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
11 Comments
@mrsoaroundworld
The return trip can be a killer for sure, but hey, someone’s got a good story to tell. And totally with you on the calories!
Lazy Travelers
the trip was loooong but luckily i had theworldwander by my side! xo
Leah Travels (@L_e_a_h)
Calories don’t count…a more true statement was never made.
Lazy Travelers
calories also don’t count on the weekends or when its dark outside. laws of physics or something.
Erin at The World Wanderer
Best road trip ever! Even with work the next day…
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..Happy 4th of July from South America!
Lazy Travelers
uggh work has never been so painful. thanks for being the best roadtrip partner ever! xo
D.J. - The World of Deej
Definitely good tips. A good navigator helps too. MJ plays that role on our trips and we’ve never been lost! (knock on wood)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Dinner at Little Italy – Just Not The One You Might Think
Lazy Travelers
the romantic is a much better navigator than me. i like to just sit in the back and eat tim hortons.
Anita Mac
Love a good road trip but, you know, I don’t think I have been in the back seat for a road trip since my childhood when we used to take the Australian relatives to Niagara Falls of all places!! Now, my bike, skis or kayak gear get the back seat billing!
Anita Mac recently posted..North is the new South at Ottawa’s SmoQue Shack BBQ Restaurant
Lazy Travelers
having lived in a city for the past nine years, ive given up driving and gladly taken the backseat many a time. less press, more time to nap/look out the window/eat delicious carbohydrates 😉
lola dimarco
After that weekend at least you weren’t the one driving! Leaves more time for comfort food 😉
lola dimarco recently posted..One Day Stay: New York, New York