You Say You Want a Resolution

By now we’re sure many of you are tired of reading about COVID-19 and its variants, and how it might forever change the way we travel. In fact, we can probably guess that one of your New Year’s resolutions is just to get back out on the open road and go somewhere – anywhere – that you can take off that mask and breathe in some fresh air for a change.

How do we know this? Well, we’ve recently read the Outdoorsy 2022 Travel Trends Report (Outdoorsy is kind of the Airbnb of RVs), and what they’ve learned is that we’ve all pretty much been sort of feeling like a modern day Howard Beale from the 1976 film Network. We all want to just get out of our chairs, get into our cars, start driving until we get somewhere far away from home and open the windows and yell, “I’M BORED AS HECK, AND I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

Further, don’t count on them canceling or changing their plans, either. Last year, less than half of those surveyed (43%) canceled or delayed their road trip plans. Not next year, however.  They’re making a road trip in 2022 their New Year’s resolution they plan on seeing through. Here’s how you can too:

There’s No Time Like the Present

For some of us, planning the ultimate road trip is half the fun of hitting the road. However, it also takes a lot of prep time, so it’s best to start planning as soon as possible. Here are our tips for taking a road trip that’s as smooth as a newly paved highway.

1. Where Do You Want to Go?

We understand you just want to get out of the house for awhile, but where to? Knowing where you want to go helps you set goals for your road trip; otherwise, you’re just gallivanting around the country and going through your loot like water.

2. Know Your (Bank) Roll

Now that you’ve decided where you want to go, you’re going to need to know how much getting there and back is going to cost. Figure in food, fuel, lodging and attractions, plus a little extra spending cash for souvenirs and a little “just in case” money. You can do all of this while you…

3. Plan your Itinerary

Planning a road trip itinerary means choosing the attractions you want to see, the route you’ll be taking, how much time you want to spend driving each day, where you want to spend the night and where you’d like to eat. Be sensible. Keep within your budget and stick to your plan once you’ve mapped it out.

4. Hold on Loosely

While you want to stick to your plan, don’t make it too rigid.  Allow yourself some flexibility.  For example, maybe you spent more time than you expected to spend in that last Stuckey’s. You just didn’t want to forget anybody when you took some pecan log rolls back home.  Don’t beat yourself up over it if it makes you fall behind schedule. Part of having a great trip means sometimes you’ll come upon things that just might surprise you.

5. Book Your Accommodations

Now that you’ve made out your itinerary, start choosing where you want you and your family to stay for the night. Again, keep your budget in mind. It really doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money on all of the amenities of a luxury resort hotel that you’re just resting your head in for the night. Likewise, planning ahead will allow you to find out where your hotel is located so you don’t end up in a seedy part of town.

A lot of hotels today let you reserve a room without requiring that you pay for it right away. Usually they also allow you to cancel your reservation 24 hours ahead of time with charging you anything. This way if something unexpected comes up or can change your mind, it won’t cost you a dime.

6. Review your Budget

Make sure your itinerary and accommodations keep you in the black. There’s nothing worse than having to cross something off your road trip itinerary because you’ve run out of money. Planning ahead and budgeting helps ensure that doesn’t happen.

Now you’re ready to make that New Year’s resolution one that you will actually stick to. (Just don’t forget that Stuckey’s stop).

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Don’t forget that you can still shop for all of your favorite snacks and be ready for 2022  by shopping at www.stuckeys.com. Use the code STUCKEY10 at and take 10% off all Stuckey’s goodies all the way up to midnight tonight – December 31, 2021.

Happy New Year to all of you from Stuckey’s

Stuckey’s – We’re Making Road Trips Fun Again!