5 Tips for your Summer Road Trip

Dearest friends, colleagues, clients, partners, and those I met once at a networking event in 2010 or something...

With summer driving season upon us, I want to make sure you all have a great experience. After over a million road miles logged over 46 states and 5 provinces, I'd like to share some of the things I've picked up in the hopes you can have an amazing trip too:

1) Master the triple-threat, 10 minute stop. Need gas? Sure. Food? Who doesn't? Restroom? Safe to say for most of us. Problem is, these stops can individually add a ton of time to your trip and slow you down. So here's what you do - find a travel plaza on the highway so you don't need to exit. Pull up to a gas pump, start pumping, lock your car, then walk to the plaza. Put an order in for food. Go to the restroom. Come back and pick up your food. Go back to your car. 10 minutes in and out. All three boxes checked. Just make sure you're adept at driving with your knees while wolfing down a Big Mac.

2) Download the Weather Channel app and have it on standby. Now, I like driving into a flash flood or tornado as much as the next guy, but it tends to throw a monkey wrench in my vacation plans. And general plans to live beyond that day. Summer weather can change rapidly, and sometimes violently, so keep that radar on the ready and you can pull over to safety before heading into the teeth of something you can't turn back from.

3) Plan your route in advance and get to know the alternate routes. Traffic is going to happen. Often in the most unexpected places. So always know your alternative options before you leave when construction hits or someone in a BMW lost a game of chicken with a big rig. Plan your stops as well, so you aren't scrambling for food/gas and end up taking a 10 mile detour. For instance, Route 40 is an excellent alternative to I-95 in Maryland. As is Route 290 to I-10 in Texas. And if you're stuck on I-15 between L.A. and Vegas, well, let's hope you have an all-terrain vehicle to conquer mountains and desert shrubs.

4) Use aggressive drivers to your advantage. Slow left lane drivers who block the road. You know them. We all know them. They're the bane of our collective existence. But rather than endanger yourself by tailgating/flashing them to move, let others do your heavy lifting for you. If you drive long enough on any stretch, you'll find at least one Audi or F-150 who's driving like they're running from the cops. Let them be your "road graters". If someone is blocking the left lane, rest assured, this aggressive driver will move them out of the way for you. Simply move over to the right, enjoy the show, then resume your speed once the left lane has been plowed clear.

5) Don't get killed. I know, hot tip. Bet you hadn't thought of that one. On every road, there's that one car that takes aggressive driving to a whole new level. This person is flying at 120 mph when everyone else is going 55, while weaving between cars like a video game. This person doesn't value their life, and they certainly don't value yours. It can be unnerving when you see this sports car (it's always, always a sports car) coming right at you in your rear-view mirror. Your best bet to stay safe is to remain perfectly still. Don't change lanes to get out of the way - that's what will cause an accident. They just want to pass you. Let them. And then be a good samaritan and call the state troopers. You'll save a life by getting them pulled over. And save yourself a ticket by tying up the state trooper when you're going 10 over yourself.

Have fun, stay safe, and make this the best summer yet!

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Geoff Woliner is an event speaker and Founder and CEO of Winning Wit, LLC, a company which helps people deliver memorable speeches through the application of stand-up comedy techniques. Winning Wit has been featured on WTOP Radio and in several event publications as the leader in humorous event speechwriting and coaching.

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www.GeoffWoliner.com