What’s Your Road Trip Personality?

Road-trip planning for every personality

Any time you’re planning a road trip, be it a weekend getaway or cross-country adventure, solid preparation is what ensures your journey is defined by the memories you make, not surprises you weren’t ready for. Road trips may not be for everyone, but there are four distinct personality types that are drawn to hitting the road with their companions and vehicles. We have road-trip planning tips for all of them. Which one are you?

Olive (The Organizer): Road-trip planning tips

Whether she’s traveling with family or friends, Olive’s the one who works from a list. If you’re like her, you’re at your best when the details are handled early.

1. Schedule time at the dealership. Two weeks before the trip, contact your dealer to schedule a tune-up with GM’s Certified Service technicians. They’ll make sure your vehicle is road-ready (checking oil, fluids, brakes and tires).
2. Confirm how you’ll pay. Be sure your credit card is accepted across the country (and over the border, if that’s where you’re headed). If you have more than one credit card, bring a backup in case your preferred card is declined or lost. It’s also a good idea to bring cash for the places that don’t accept plastic, so you’re not wasting valuable vacation time trying to find an ATM.
3. Map your route in advance — then download it (or print it out). Enter your destination to determine the fastest way or decide on a scenic route before you leave home. And for the times you lose GPS connection, pack an atlas or paper map. This is also a great way to scout out stops along the way for refueling or charging, eating, roadside attractions and overnight stays.

One for the road:

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Paul (The Pet Lover): Ideas for traveling with pets

Paul doesn’t go anywhere without his dog, Bubba. If your pet is also part of the travel plan, these steps will help everyone stay comfortable and safe.

1. Make an appointment with the vet to be sure your pet is healthy enough for the journey and ask about any medications he might need for the long haul. Also, check out the pet policies at hotels along your route. Some may require proof of vaccination, so bring along the paperwork and tags.
2. Pack the necessities. Remember to include extra water, portable containers for food bowls and plenty of plastic bags for rest stops. And pack two leashes: one that stays with you for routine stops and another to store in the back with your dog. This way, if an accident occurred and you were unable to get to your dog, someone else may be able to rescue him.
3. Take safety precautions. When traveling with an animal, pet safety is key. Consider buckling him up with a travel harness in the back seat or a crate packed with a comfortable blanket and a familiar toy. Pet barriers also help provide animals with a safer ride in the back of a van or SUV. Plus, it’s important to never leave the dog alone in the vehicle, so pack your own meals or find a drive-thru when possible.

One for the road:

As a pet lover, you’ll appreciate the versatility of leather seating. It’s highly durable, easy to clean and doesn’t hold onto dog hair.

Greg (The Go-Getter): Road trip essentials to stay connected

The road trip for Greg is all about the adventure. If that sounds like you, these basics help you stay ready without overthinking it.

1. Pack all the chargers. Your charger is the number one must-have item because you rely on your phone and its apps for everything from GPS to hotel booking. Before you go, set up your playlists and download audio books on your own reliable Wi-Fi network. And get to know your camera app so you don’t miss the perfect panoramic shot or quick video along the way (when stopped of course).
2. Bring the emergency kit. It’s important to pack a car kit. Your kit might include first-aid supplies, jumper cables and fix-a-flat but also necessity items like paper towels, water bottles and grocery bags.
3. Update your subscription services. Many vehicles support subscription services that make your journey easier. SiriusXM®, for example, can locate nearby gas stations and current prices. And if your vehicle is equipped with OnStar®, you can wander off the beaten path to catch a sunset and call up turn-by-turn directions to find your way back. And the available Wi-Fi hot spot feature makes it easy to stream on the go, too.

One for the road:

Many new GM vehicles come equipped with wireless charging. It’s a safe and easy way to help keep your phone charged on your journey.

Catherine (The Camper): Packing tips for camping trips

Catherine loves to hit the road in her home away from home. She would rather plan for a family camping adventure than book a hotel at her final destination. If you’re building a home base on wheels, smart packing will set you up for a stress-free outing.

1. Create a sign-up sheet. Whether you’re camping with your family or traveling with a group, it’s often productive to “divide and conquer” different tasks. A master list can help organize and assign tasks like securing camping permits, packing food and supplies, or even providing games and entertainment.
2. Pack smart snacks.
   • Foods that don’t crumble are easier to eat on the road. Think bananas, apples, nuts and protein bars.
   • Use reusable ice packs to supplement the ice in your cooler.
   • Put condiment packets in a bag so sandwiches don’t get soggy along the way.
3. Be ready for what-ifs. It’s hard to plan for everything, but you can bring a camping kit that includes basic tools and multipurpose items like facial tissues, sandwich bags, bandages, duct tape and pain relievers. Rain ponchos don’t take up much space and can provide a lot of comfort in a rainstorm. Plus, if your vehicle supports OnStar, roadside assistance is only a push-button away.

One for the road:

If you’ve never towed a camper with trailer sway control, you’ll love the way it adds stability to your ride — especially on the highway with crosswinds. And you can’t beat the available transparent trailer feature on select vehicles, which allows you to virtually “see through” a compatible conventional trailer. Talk about making parking easier!

Quick road trip checklist

If you do nothing else to prepare for your road trip, check these five things:

• Vehicle (tires, brakes, fluids)
• Route (and have an atlas or offline backup)
• Power (plug-in chargers and a backup)
• Emergency kit basics
• Payment (backup method and some cash)

No matter your road trip personality, you don’t have to do everything at once. Just take one step each day. Pick a route, prep your vehicle or pack your essentials, and you’ll be ready to roll with confidence. Then, keep the momentum going with more GM Financial road-trip tips for any season — from spring break getaways to summer prep and winter readiness.