It has long since been said that travelling broadens the mind by exposing you to new cultures and experiences. However, actually travelling between destinations can be incredibly tedious and boring. Of course, everyone loves a road trip, and they are really fun, but you still need ways to pass the time. If you aren’t driving or are a front-seat passenger, you can feel a little left out in the back of the car, which is why we have put together the following list of suggestions. Some of these suggestions you can do with the other passengers and some of which are solo activities, keep reading for more.
Discuss the Itinerary
One way to pass the time is to discuss your itinerary with the other passengers in the car. Are there any stops that you want to make along the way? What are you going to do or see once you get there? The likelihood is that everyone will have some idea of what your trip is for but discussing it can make sure that everyone is on the same page, and it can also help to drum up some excitement. You can do some research into your route and your destinations. Take a consensus to see what the others would like to do and if you can work it into the itinerary.
Try Colouring
Depending on the route that your road trip is taking, you might be able to pass some of the time by colouring. There are a lot of colouring books out there, some of which are marketed specifically for adults. Colouring is also known to lower blood pressure and promote feelings of relaxation too. They are also one of the few options you have to occupy yourself without the need for electronics or an internet connection. However, if the road is particularly bumpy or if you get travel sickness, then you should avoid this option.
Read a Book
Similarly, to a colouring book, you can bring a book to read. If you have a novel that you have been meaning to get round to reading, then your road trip can offer you the perfect opportunity. However, if you don’t have a book to bring, you could bring your kindle or download a few audiobooks to listen to. Audiobooks can be a great way to occupy your time if you like consuming fiction but you suffer from travel sickness.
Play Some Games
If you have a smartphone or a portable games console like a Nintendo Switch, then you can play some games on your journey. Playing via a console does mean that you might be limited in terms of games depending on what you have with you, but again you can play those games regardless of whether you have an internet connection or not. If you only have your phone, then you can find a tonne of games on the app store that you can download to your phone, some of which you can play offline, some of which you can’t.
If the regular games don’t appeal to you, you could always try playing casino games or gambling at an online casino to pass the time. They are often more exciting, and there are a plethora of games to choose from. Obviously, you will need an internet connection, and it makes sense to sign up for the sites and create your account ahead of time. You should do a little research to ensure that you are choosing the right casino; for example, OnlineCasinos.co.uk is a website that ranks and rates other casinos and their games to give you a better idea of what to expect if you play with them.
Peruse Your Socials
Everyone knows that scrolling through social media can really help to pass the time; you get into bed at 10 pm, open TikTok, and the next thing you know, it’s 3 am. So why not take advantage of this and scroll through your social media accounts during the road trip to pass some time. Swap between your socials as you see fit, browse the public, trending or for your pages until something catches your eye or stalk your old friends, partners, enemies, or crushes to see what they’re up to. This can eat your battery, though, which might not be ideal if you are going to need your phone for directions later on.
Streaming Movies or Music
If you are in the backseat away from the action, you could always stream a movie, tv show or listen to music. In addition, some streaming services allow you to download content ahead of time so that you can still enjoy it regardless of whether you have an internet connection or not. Obviously, you will have your headphones in, which does mean that this isn’t necessarily the most social endeavour, which might be something to consider.
Have a Little Nap
If the road trip is long, if you are going to take turns driving or if you set off really early, then you could always pass a few hours by having a nap. Sleeping in a car isn’t always the most comfortable, but if you’re tired enough, it shouldn’t be a problem. You can bring a pillow and a blanket with you from your home, and you should be able to manoeuvre your seat belt into something more comfortable. Again, obviously, having a nap isn’t the most social option, which can be irritating for the other passengers, but you’ll certainly feel more refreshed when you reach wake up.
Get Snacky
Road trips mean snacks; this is non-negotiable regardless of whether the road trip is only an hour long. You have to take snacks. Bringing your own snacks can also help to limit the number of stops you need to make on the way, and it can save you money too. Make sure you pack enough for everyone and try to vary the snacks a little too between salty and sweet. Eating snacks won’t necessarily pass too much time, but it can help to keep your mood up.
In Summary
Travelling, for the most part, is exciting but often really tiring and monotonous too. If you have a road trip coming up, then make sure that you take on board the above advice. Come up with a list of options of things that you can do to pass the time. Think about the length of the journey, where you are going, and the other passengers on board to come up with the perfect road trip itinerary.