Ever since I was little, my dad has preached the "expect the unexpected" sermon to my sisters and me, and I can't think of a better piece of advice when it comes to road-tripping across America. From flat tires to running out of gas, I'd be lying if I said nothing could go wrong even with a thoroughly planned-out trip.
I can't help but giggle when I think back on the first night of our journey. It wasn't until after it stopped pouring down rain did we realize our cartop carrier was not waterproof. So, our clothes, sheets, and pillows were all drenched. As you can imagine, we were not happy campers.
That said, be as prepared as possible in order to lower these types of risks. Have your car serviced before embarking on your adventure. Make sure to carry a physical map so you aren't solely relying on Google Maps, as you will encounter some areas with zero cell service. Have cash handy for the arch nemesis of toll roads. And make sure to always have a full tank of gas, especially when driving through the desert. Being as prepared as possible will not only save you time, energy, and lots of unnecessary frustration, but it will also save you money, too.
