17 Unconventional Road Trip Rules

There is nothing more American than taking a good, old-fashioned road trip.

This past July, I packed into a car and headed out west on a last-minute trip to Colorado Springs. Along the way, I started to realize there are some things a traditional "packing checklist" won't help you with. That is why I collaborated with my road trip comrade to come up with this list of road trip rules you might not have thought of before now. The following list is in no particular order.

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1. Know Your Bladder

Nurses, teachers, waitresses--I'm not talking to you. Y'all are experts at holding it. This is for the person who has the bladder of a puppy who hates making you stop... but always makes you stop. Seriously, no matter how good that 44 oz Mountain Dew or Venti Iced White Chocolate Mocha looks, it's not worth it. It's never worth it.

2. Shotgun Navigates/DJs

Drivers, I know you like to be in control. That's why you're the driver. But for the safety and sanity of everyone else in the car, shotgun has to have the most important jobs.

3. Playlist Matters

It's all about variety. Every roadtripper needs to have already created a playlist of music they think will be perfect for the expedition. If shotgun is showing you that new indie band no one cares about, give it a chance! Now is the time to try it out. If you hate country music, call shotgun and play something different. If Justin Timberlake just isn't your style, find a new style.

It doesn't hurt to have some old-fashioned CDs either. You'll probably lose service.

4. If you know a song that mentions the city you're going through, play it.

Because what else are you going to do in Ellsworth, Kansas? Shoutout to Rascal Flatts.

5. Phone Charger, Phone Charger, Phone Charger!

Nowadays, there is nothing more valuable than a charged up phone. It's your camera, your GPS, your music, and your go-to in an emergency. ALWAYS keep it charged; you'll thank me later.

While you're at it, go ahead and bring an extra aux cord for when it's 3AM and the cheap one your friend brought is fizzing up again.

6. Bring an Atlas

When the iPhone fails you, an atlas is a great resource to fall back on. Plus, it's much easier to map out your exciting route on an actual map than on Google maps, unless you are just trying to make good time.

Hint: Road trips aren't about taking the fasted route. They are about taking time to smell the roadses.

7. If the driver is over 40, no tacos.

I'm not sure if it's the heaviness on the stomach or the tendency to fall apart, but people over 40 do not like eating tacos in the car. If you're a millennial like me, it's a loss you have to take. If you're 40+, don't act like I'm not super spot-on with this one. Nothing personal. It's just a fact, like how most women are disgusted by White Castle.

This brings me to the next rule.

8. Know Your Stomach

Road trips are not the exception. If chili-cheese fries normally hurt your stomach, it'll probably be even worse in a car. You never know when you'll go on a stretch without gas stations, but I guarantee you it'll be right after you try the Blazin' challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings. Take it easy if you have to.

9. Famous Restaurants are Worth the Detour

This is my absolute favorite part about going new places. Like my ancestors before me, there's nothing I find more exciting than hunting down delicious food. Only instead of killing a bison, I just order some ribs or something.

The coolest way I have found to do this is with TV Food Maps. You can type in your road trip, or the city you are in, and it brings up every place in the area that has been on Food Network.

Who cares if it's going to take you an extra 20 minutes?! If a restaurant is special enough for Guy Fieri to make a trip in his candy apple '69 Camaro, it's famous enough for you to make a detour. Chain restaurants are for back home.

10. Bring Cash

There's nothing worse than being 2 days into a trip and your bank freezing your account because some low-life hacked your card. At least carry enough cash to get by if that happens.

11. Stop at the State Welcome Centers

I know this isn't very exciting, but hear me out. You're going to have to stop somewhere anyway because that one guy didn't listen to Rule #1. State welcome centers are almost always super clean, plus they are full of travel brochures that could give you some ideas for stops. If nothing else, they provide you with something to new to look through in the car.

Florida's Welcome Centers even have free orange juice. You can't beat free OJ.

12. Don't be a Hotel Snob

If you have a bed, a shower, and don't get staph infection, that's a win. There are better ways to spend your money.

13. Weird Places are the Best Places

Often times, small cities near big highways will have odd attractions to get people to stop and spend money in their towns. They are almost always interesting!

When I think of my road trip to Colorado, the first

thing I think of is seeing the World's Largest Ball of Twine in Middleofnowhere, Kansas on the way home. The Rocky Mountains were unreal, but the Ball of Twine, World's Largest Easel, and Museum of Election Losers are fun and quirky conversation starters. Just Google the state or highway you are passing through with "roadside attractions" and see what comes up.

14. Radar Detector Optional, but Recommended

A radar detector is something you will never know you need, until you need it. It's not a speeding-on-purpose thing; it's a speeding-on-accident-because-you-don't-know-the-area thing. Just be sure to look up the laws of the states you're going through to make sure they aren't illegal.

15. Clean Your Windshield Whenever You Get Gas

I know, it sounds excessive, but it's well worth your time. Heck, make the guy in the back seat do it. He's been sleeping the whole time anyway.

16. Bring a Deck of Cards

You just never know when you'll have to kick someone's butt in Spades.

17. Take the Picture

What picture am I talking about? You'll know when you get there. You never know when you'll be able to go on another road trip with the same people, and one day you'll wish you had taken more pictures.

Once again, who cares if it adds an extra 5 minutes to your trip? Pull over and take the picture. Make it funny. Make it memorable. Send it to your family to keep them updated. Post it somewhere. It doesn't matter. Just take the picture.

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Road trips are about finding a balance between planned adventures and spontaneity. The best part is, there's no one right or wrong way to do it. Personally, I like having my trip mostly planned while keeping it flexible. Some people prefer just hopping in a car and driving until they get somewhere new. So take this list of rules, throw out the ones you don't like, and do what works for you. Whatever your preference, make sure you take time to enjoy the ride.