By Jonathan Montgomery
Daily Titan Staff Writer

I returned exhausted, starving and with a certain stench that can only be acquired by traveling in a car for hours.

To top it off, I was even missing one of my brand-new shoes.

I learned a lot driving from Burbank, Calif., to Portland, Ore.

Taking a road trip, especially with some good friends, can be a very fulfilling, bonding and growing experience.

However, there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to hitting the road.

Before leaving, don’t put trust into the method of spontaneity.

Be a planner. Booking hotels early will save money, and making itineraries will save time.

Travelers should also aim to pack light, focusing heavily on the necessities.

Pants and shirts can be worn more than once, but a traveler should have enough socks and underwear to last the trip.

Planning ahead isn’t solely restricted to what travelers are bringing with them either.

“Main thing, make sure the car is in good shape,” said Tom Rush, 57, a member service and travel consultant for AAA.

Fix all the bugs and make sure it is working properly or risk having a potentially short-lived road trip.

Keeping basic safety items such as a blanket, first aid kit, spare tires, and flashlights in the car are also vital.

If you are a AAA member, make sure your card is valid and up to date.

“Try to anticipate weather conditions,” said Rush. This is one piece of advice I evidently didn’t consider.

Our first night camping in Crater Lake, Ore., left us freezing cold and huddled together in a small sleeping bag.

I hazily remember being awake the entire night, shivering and searching desperately for something warm.

Bringing extra blankets and sleeping bags can be a lifesaver when in the high altitude wilderness.

Now Departing

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. and anticipating the 11-hour drive in front of us was intimidating.

Driving such distances can be daunting, but taking precautions will change the drive from hell into something manageable.

We took the I-5 North, a straight shot that looked oddly familiar the longer we drove on it. It moved away from cities and buildings and changed into an agricultural wasteland of cows, grass and some crops.

Needless to say, it was long and boring.

“Have an idea of how far you want to go each day,” said Rush. “And don’t try to do too much.”

Take breaks and switch between drivers when needed.

If the driver is tired, pull over to rest, stretch, and to get blood flowing through the body.

With good planning, travelers won’t feel rushed on a road trip, thus, pulling over to recuperate won’t feel like a waste of time.

“The tunes have to be good,” said Julian Lopez, 19, an English major.

Music selection selfishness will probably only make one person happy.

Try to select music that will appeal to everyone in the car; it will prevent many headaches and harbored feelings of hatred.

Once we made it to Portland, we were high-spirited once again.

I faced a small setback when realized I had forgotten both my electric razor and my toothbrush somewhere.

But fear not forgetful travelers, no one has to go hairy and with rotten teeth.

Hotels usually offer small packs of toothbrushes as well as small shaving kits.

After reaching the destination, Web sites like Yelp.com can be very helpful when traveling unfamiliar areas.

In bigger cities, Internet sources are easily accessible, and we were able to locate cheap restaurants offering quality food within minutes.

Some restaurants and tourist spots even offer great deals and discounts if you are a member of AAA, so be on the lookout for those.

For any new travelers anxious about planning a road trip, rest assured because people are there to help.

Eileen Rivera, 30, a member service representative of AAA, said first time travelers and members of AAA can actually sit down with a representative who will help highlight exact routes on a map by hand, marking rest stops and hotels along the way.

Mystery can be exciting for some, but knowing where you’re going is smart and efficient.

Plan thoroughly, be safe and have fun.