Couples Road Trip: Tips for Good Times in the Car

When you are stuck in the car for hours and hours, you can find yourself almost up for anything (including pulling out your hair!) Here are a few ideas to help you and your partner pass the time (and have a blast) when in a terrible traffic jam, pulling a late night on the highway, or just cruising the afternoon away - on your way.

DVD

Okay, so maybe the driver can't watch. But, they can listen and it does help pass the time. Comedy shows are a great place to start, if you can agree on a comedian. Any Vince Vaughn movie usually has quip talk, that is funny when listening or the movie Elizabeth Town, which has a great "road trip" theme and a narration throughout.

Manicure

Men aren't famous for getting manicures, but most men loved to be touched or rubbed. The car is the perfect place to just lose yourself in his hands and obsess over his nails like a cosmetologist. He will appreciate the positive attention, the personal touch and the care. And later, you might really appreciate those hands! When packing a bag for the car, don't forget lotion, clippers and file - surprise him.

CD Variety

- Comedy CDs of your favorite Comedian
- Make A "Road trip" CD of songs you both love or theme a CD (Collection of top 20 - from the year you met, or year you got married.)
- Biblical Broadcasts or Bible Studies can be totally humorous and thought provoking - and give you a lot to talk about! (James Dobson, Ravi Zacharias or Beth Moore are all very easy to listen to and add interesting antidotes that make for entertaining, life applicable listening.)
- Self Help CDs on Relationships...why not? Are we really above practical tips?
- Books on CD or getting better and better! Go political and learn something!

Chart the Course

No doubt when you're going somewhere, you are usually ready to get there...not drag the trip out. But sometimes, getting there is half the fun. Look carefully at your route prior to leaving. Use the internet to do a quick lookup on unique things in that city. The biggest ball of twine...who wouldn't stop for that? Really, though...it may be worth stopping and grabbing a picture for 10 minutes, especially if it aligns with a meal. Plot the course of interest just in case. At the very least, when you drive through town you can have a great "Did you Know" conversation.

Books

Go to the local bookstore and invest in a conversation starter book, or quizzes and questions for lovers. Truth is, you're stuck in the car together...why not bond? As well as you know your partner, odds are, these books will spark a great discussion. Another book that is very topical and unusually thought provoking is Malcolm Gladwell's Bestseller, Outliers. (He has another book called The Tipping Point which is sure to offer fun discussion.)

Games

Before you go, snag the Trivial Pursuit cards and bring them along. Another fun game to play is a game called "Trigger." The rules are simple, take turns saying the first thing that comes to your mind...based on what the other person just said. One word only, is really the only rule. It is a speed thing that draws on the first thing that a word triggers in your mind. For example, one person starts and picks any word (no wrong answer) like "car." The next person says, "Gas." The next person says whatever comes to their mind when they hear the word "gas". The goal is not to think too hard. It's just kind of funny where this game leads and shocking when you get rolling what people think of! It just proves how our train of thoughts can be so different and usually results in laughter. (By the way, repeating a word used in the game results in loss - that is how it ends. And for the record, most men will lose by repeating the word "sex.")

Whatever you do together, make sure it is time well spent. These are rare hours alone with undivided attention and they may be the very moments you draw from in years to come. Make the miles matter and above all, have a blast!