Save your pennies. Leaving a route unsent due to inadequate funding sucks. Budget out $25 a day for travel within the United States and you’ll have enough for gas, the occasional car repair, and food.

Loft It. If you drive a truck, van, or a station wagon, it’s easy to build a loft platform in the back of your ride. This provides free shelter for nights when you can’t camp, and makes it easy to rack out during long drives. Build your loft so that you can store your bins underneath, keeping your vehicle organized.
Visit AAA. Providers of Trip-tics (detailed driving directions), traveler’s checks, maps, roadside assistance, and, um, bail bonds, the American Automobile Association is your friend. For $70 a year ($60 to renew) they’ll hook you up, saving time and aggravation.

Get golden. Fifty bucks buys you a Golden Eagle Pass, which admits you (and those in your vehicle) to all National Parks for one year.

Road tunes. These are almost as important as your climbing shoes on a road trip. Keep your favorite CDs or MP3 player handy so you can rock out to NWA, Hank Jr., Jack Johnson, Kenny G, Boy George, and Britney Spears, Slayer, Black Sabbeth... as you cruise through the barrens of Kansas. Loud music has kept me from snoozing at the wheel more than once!
Book smart. Many libraries provide free Internet access to the general public. Some require a library card; most require that you reserve a time slot in advance. Either way, this is a great way to access web-based e-mail accounts like Hotmail or Yahoo. Depending on the length of your trip, your local library can hook you up with books on tape, helping you sharpen your intellect as you tool down the highway.

Shop smart. Many grocery stores offer discounts on select items if you sign up for a free savings card. Also, mega-stores like Sam’s Club or Wal-Mart are inexpensive places to stock up on pre-packaged grub.

Drivin’ stealth. Depending on your political, personal, and “recreational” interests, the back of your ride may boast a few stickers. The combination of out-of-state plates and messages like “Bad Cop, No Donut” often leads to unwanted scrutiny and/or a night in the clink. Better to be discrete and yank the stickers.

Avoiding Road-Trip-itus

It’s 2 a.m. and the sign reads 420 miles to Denver. Your buddy cues up his favorite Sean Paul song, again. You throw him a loaded glance, but he’s conveniently fidgeting with a CD case. Just then that trademark bouquet permeates your truck. Your partner giggles and you crack the window in disgust.

“Road-Trip-Itus” is a well-known condition caused by spending too much time in close proximity to the same person. The same stories regurgitate, and those mannerisms you found so amusing at the gym are becoming grounds for manslaughter. Even though you’re only halfway through your much-anticipated road trip, the 9-to-5 grind back at the glue factory is sounding like paradise. Luckily, there’s a solution.

Expedition Behavior (EB) is a term endemic to experiential-education programs. Simply put, good EB derives from a mental outlook that places trip objectives above one’s own personal agendas. For an expedition to succeed, members must have a common goal, and agree on a leadership hierarchy. The following suggestions will set the tone for a successful trip before you even pull away from your mom’s driveway.

Have a plan. Unless you’re headed off for an endless road trip, having an agreed-upon destination and timeframe are critical. Hash out these details before you depart.

Drive your miles. Nothing’s worse than embarking on a long trip with one and a half drivers. Pull your weight behind the wheel.

Keep it clean. A messy car breeds contempt. Keep your belongings in their designated spot, and respect your buddy’s space.

Rise ’n’ shine. Some people love early mornings; others cringe at the thought. Don’t act too bright-eyed until you learn your partner’s routine.

Penny pinching. Make sure you have adequate funding before you set off. Dirt bagging is fun, but the hassle of doing everything on the cheap can cut into your climbing time — a commodity far more valuable than money.
Flexibility. Be open-minded about new possibilities. Provided they don’t deviate too far from your goal, the unexpected often yields adventure.

Know each other’s abilities. It sucks discovering your trusted gym spotter is a Gumby belayer. Go on a few day trips together before embarking on a longer and more committing journey.
Small favors. Niceties go a long way. Don’t be afraid to occasionally treat your partner to his favorite candy bar or iced latté.
Laugh, godamit. Laughter is the lubrication that keeps all social mechanisms running smoothly. Like good Karma, spread it wide and fat.

Dish patrol. Do more than your fair share of the dishes — it’s free, easy, and shows you’re a team player.
Third parties. Try to meet new people along the way. Fresh perspectives and new stories raise spirits, especially if you’ve been traveling with the same person for a prolonged period.

Personal space. Alone time is essential, even if it’s just an hour to read. If you see your partner ensconced in his journal, it’s probably not the best time to beg for a belay.

Leggo my ego. Be a supportive belayer, and avoid getting overly competitive about the same route — this can ruin a road trip faster than a busted timing belt!

Open dialog. Establish good communication with your partner, and make sure you both speak your mind. If your partner wants to spend an extra week at a crag that holds little appeal to you, talk it out and compromise. It’s much easier to handle the little things before they magnify.

Don’t eat the last PowerBar. If you’re sharing food, never polish off a resource without offering it up first.

Think of your team first and realize that you’re part of something greater than yourself. When you debark for a road trip, you’re forsaking your comfort zone and daily routines for adventure. Take this reality one step further by actively fostering a positive group mindset. Whether it’s kicking your partner a couple hamburgers or relinquishing a redpoint, small sacrifices go a long way in demonstrating that you’re a team player. Abandon your comfort zone, try new ways of doing things, and you might just learn something about yourself along the way.