by Stephen Murphy

Created on: August 06, 2009   Last Updated: August 10, 2009

The open road, the sun, the breeze are just some of the great things about traveling; it is the essence of American freedom. However, going on the road can bring some unexpected events, and every person who undertakes such a journey must understand the road brings certain challenges, such as getting lost, dealing with passengers, both good and bad, and of course, Murphy's law.

Road trips are not always about getting from place to place as quick as possible, and depending on the type of trip one takes, how you get there could make all the difference. Getting lost is normal and sometimes even expected. A lot of people will advise if you don't want to get lost, invest a few hundred dollars and purchase a GPS. Not all GPS's are created equal, and sometimes they can even be wrong. Do the research first, and even though human error and the wrong address are two common mistakes, recent construction may not be updated, road closures, and traffic are two other important considerations when choosing the right GPS. There are spots where satellite signals do not reach. Driving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Lawton, Oklahoma can be a chore even with a GPS, especially around major cities like Kansas City, both on the Kansas and on the Missouri side. If traveling alone and without a GPS, traveling for a long distance requires some sort of route reconnaissance, or at least a map. There is always more than one way to get to San Diego from Atlanta and a GPS could help you get there easier, but have a map as a backup.

Traveling with a partner can be a truly memorable experience, or one you could never, ever forget, even when you want to. Even if you are traveling with a loved one, your relationship could be strained because you are in tight confines for hours on end. If you don't split the driving, or even worse if your partner is a back-seat, or passenger-seat driver, it could easily lead to a fight over something silly, and more than one fight has originated this way, with nowhere to run. While it is important to split the driving, and try to keep conversation going, it may behoove you to have a satellite radio system, or some other electronic device, or devices, such as a DVD player which could be a lifesaver when dealing with small children. One thing you want to avoid is being lost in around Columbus, Ohio, with your father who can't read a map, or with your loved one who says it's ok to merge into the left lane as a tractor trailer

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