(Image source: Wikipedia.org)
Now that the Holidays are almost over, as early as now, many people are already planning what they will be doing for their summer vacation. A carefully planned vacation obviously follows a fun, exciting, and memorable experience for everybody involved. There are numerous things to do – and one thing many Americans love to do is Road Trip
Many people embarks on a road trip for a variety of reasons – most of which is for recreational purposes and to bond longer with those who went with the road trip. However, some road trips (especially long ones) are prone to so-called Road Trip Boredom.
This post will mainly focus on how to eliminate Road Trip Boredom with fun road trip activities with the help of modern technology. However, before going to that, let us first look at some important and need-to-know information about road trips.
First Recorded Motorized Road Trip
Humans have always been travellers. This is evident in many history books. They like to travel and discover. With the advent of automobiles, it didn’t take long for mankind to use these vehicles for their travels.
The very first gasoline powered automobile appeared in 1886 and was invented by Karl Benz. Karl’s wife, Bertha, used his invention (the Benz Patent-Motorwagen) to travel a distance of 106 km with an average speed of 16 km/hr. This journey is also recorded as the very first road trip using automobile.
A photo of Benz Patent-Motorwagen – the first patented motor car
(Image source: Google.com)
Karl Benz – inventor of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen
(Image source: Google.com)
Bertha Benz – person to embark on the first documented road trip with a motorized vehicle
(Image source: Google.com)
Reasons why people go for a road trip
As mentioned, many people have their own reasons why they go on a road trip. Although, most are done for recreational purposes, below are other reasons why people go on a road trip:
-- Sightseeing
-- Bonding time before reaching the destination
-- To visit a family or friend located in distant areas
-- When moving or relocating
How to keep boredom at bay during a road trip?
(Image source: Google.com)
See how happy the people are in the photo? This is the scene that you want when going on a road trip – everyone must be happy!
Some people when invited for a road trip may ask how long is the road trip or how many hours will it take to reach the destination. They may ask this seriously or jokingly, and it may seem like an innocent and harmless question –but usually, these people are worried about road trip boredom. In the back of their minds, people who asked such questions are wondering “why not take the plane, it is much faster” or “what will we do for the whole duration of the trip”
Luckily, with the help of revolutionary portable gadgets, dull moments during road trips can be minimized – and in certain cases, totally eliminated. All it would take is a multipurpose FM transmitter and a compatible audio or video player.
For those who are not aware, unlike traditional standalone FM transmitters, a multi-purpose FM transmitter car accessory usually has a car mount functionality as well as portable charging capability for compatible devices. The main purpose of a FM transmitter is to stream the sound of the portable gadget connected to it through the car speaker system. Simply put, the sound produced by a mobile phone, audio player, tablets, etc… connected to the FM transmitter will be heard through the car stereo system.
Below are photos of some modern FM transmitters
(Image Source: Google.com)
(Image source: Google.com)
(Image source: Google.com)
Fun road trip activities
Various road trip activities can be applied using the handy features of a multipurpose FM transmitter. Some of these activities are listed below.
Guess Who?
Suggested here is a variant of the popular “Guess Who” board game using modern gadgets. Nowadays, portable gadgets (smart phones, iPads, tablets, etc…) have huge storage capacity. Guess Who works by guessing the expression, voices, favourite lines of people stored in the portable gadget. It is like a high tech, simple, but enjoyable guessing game. Participants may guess if the voice belongs to their boss, colleagues, friends, classmates, etc…
Here is a photo and video tutorial of the original Guess Who board game
(Image Source: Google.com)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
Film showing –
In a road trip, back seat passengers always seem to have the advantages – even in this activity. Tablets or any large screen mobile devices are also generally used as video players. People who wanted to have a movie marathon or series marathon during the road trip does not have to worry about sharing a headphone as the sound can be heard through the car speaker system.
For those who are wondering how can the gadget located on the backseat be connected to the FM transmitter situated in front, the answer is quite simple – wireless connectivity. Yes, certain car accessory FM transmitters offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
Here are Three movies that are great to watch (even if you are traveling with a kid or not)
1. Harry Potter series
The Harry Potter movie series is a good movie to watch during a road trip. It's interesting plot and development would surely remove any dull moments while on the road.
(Image Source: Google.com)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
The silly antics of Captain Jack Sparrow is a good watch during road trip. All movie installment of this franchise are fun and enjoyable, and at the same time, exciting and filled with action.
(Image Source: Google.com)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
3. Jurassic World
Huge dinosaurs, exhilarating chase, and carefully placed comedic moments - this movie is a must-see for a fun road trip
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
Road trip appropriate music –
Everybody loves good old fashion road trip music. When planning or preparing for the road trip be sure to save thousands of road trip songs that the whole group can enjoy. Be sure to select songs that will give soothing music that can calm soul while enjoying the majestic view through the car windows.
Here are Three of my “must-have” songs when I go for a road trip. Although, I have thousands of songs stored on my playlist, I make sure that these three are always included.
Again, the list below are just my personal selection. Your road trip music must be of your own preference and those that will help you relax during the long drive.
1. “Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna
(Image Source: Google.com)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
2. “Going Back to Cali” by LL Cool J
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
That’s just about it. Road trips are fun activities for people of all ages. It can be done with a buddy, a love one, or in groups with friends and family.
To wrap up this post, let us look at some blockbuster films that featured road trips as a major theme of the movie.
1. Road Trip
This comedic fun film is about four college buddies who journeyed 1,800 miles to recover a tape that was wrongfully sent to one of the guys' girlfriend
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
2. Thelma & Louise
Directed by acclaimed director Ridley Scott, this American crime film is about two friends whose 2-day road trip started wonderfully but quickly turned to a nightmare. The film was a commercial and critical success.
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
3. The Bucket List
This film features two veteran actors (Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson) Their characters are terminally ill and they plan to complete a list of things-to-do before they pass away
(Image Source: Wikipedia.org)
(Video courtesy of YouTube)
