MyScenicDrives.com is built specifically for finding great drives. Each drive comes with a detailed overview, an interactive map, weather forecasts plus GPS directions.

Using it is as easy as entering your location and clicking “Find a Drive” or you can go deeper and create an account that lets you keep track of your drives and tag them to save them as drives you want to take or mark them as an adventure completed.

Right now it looks like most of their drives are based in the western part of the U.S., but they are always releasing new drives so make sure to check back regularly to see the new ones. And of course you can suggest a new drive for them to add.

You can sign up for their newsletter and read their blog for the latest updates too. Although this site is small right now it looks like it has potential to grow so be sure to add it your list of websites you use when planning your next travel nursing job.

MyScenicDrives.com also offers the ability to make online reservations, making it a great place to plan your drive.

So if you have an assignment in the western part of the U.S. check out MyScenicDrives.com to see some gret road trips you can take.

No matter the length of your trip from point a to point b, there are sure to be many things to see, do and of course eat! While on the road you may want to try and stick to a certain schedule but as we all know, things can and will usually not happen as you so desire. It’s easy to want to try and keep your stops to a minimum and running through a drive-thru may seem like a good idea, but in reality it can really add up and have you reaching for your Tums. So instead of super-sizing value meal #4, why not head into town off the beaten path and find a locally owned and operated cafe or restaurant. They are sure to have some money saving specialties and your tummy will thank you. But if you must keep to a schedule, there are other means to save yourself some bucks while keeping your body fueled for the long haul ahead of you.

I admit I am not the greatest of bargain shoppers. Whenever we have to make a stop for gas or the more important potty break, I am guilty of always buying something, anything from that convenient store and for some reason I really like to sample the local flavors in the beef jerky department. So you buy a snack and a soda and already you’ve spent around $4. The best thing you can do to avoid these impulse purchases is one, stay away from stopping at a convenient store or gas stations (unless of course you need gas!), try and hold off for a state run rest stop. Second, buy all your snacks and beverages ahead of time and store them neatly in a cooler or other container. That will definitely save you some money, plus you get more for it!

Now no road trip is complete without spending the night in motel or for the rugged, a campsite. Nothing says stay here like “Free HBO.” Some motels even offer free breakfasts and that would be a great way to start your next day of traveling. For overnight stays I recommend you do your research prior to taking off. Try your hand at bidding on your own price at Priceline.com. See what hotel chains are available along the path you plan to take, seek out the deals via the internet or for the real cost effective method, try a night or two camping. If you’re a AAA member or AARP you can be assured some sort of discounted prices at participating motel chains and the like.

While researching places to stay along your planned route you should also check for the best gas prices. Here’s a site that does just that. GasBuddy.com. Now besides finding the cheapest gas, here are a few methods to help keep you on the road longer.

Follow these few simple gas-saving tips to save a lot of road trip money which you can use to buy more beef jerky. I know in the summer it can get hot, especially if you’re heading out west. If you can stand it, turn off the AC — it hogs the gas faster than you can say, “Four dollars a gallon?!” If you must use it, try just occasionally switching between AC and rolling down the windows.
Another method less thought of would be to ease off the gas pedal well before a stop sign and coast to a stop; take off in a mellow manner. Burning rubber burns gas needlessly. Also, make sure you inflate your tires close to max — carry a teeny tire gauge and read the tire’s side. Finally the biggest and most obvious expense to avoid is getting a speeding ticket. I know you want to get there, but why get there upset and with $200 less in your pocket.

Hopefully you can apply any and all of these tips on your next adventure on the road. Also, if you discover some great jerky out there, by all means tell me… I will plan accordingly!

Here’s a great tool I discovered called Cost2Drive!

Simply enter the starting and ending points of your journey, as well as what type of car you’ll be driving. From that information the website will show you their estimation of the fuel cost of your trip. It also shows you a map with the stops in your trip where you’ll need to re-fuel your vehicle as well as what the price of gas is in that city. They also provide links to Mapquest, Yahoo Maps and Google Maps if you want to print out your driving directions.

The other nice thing it shows you is what your trip would cost if you decided to fly instead. I wish I could have used this tool a few years back when I was planning a family trip to Pennsylvania!

The one thing it doesn’t do is allow you to add extra stops on your journey. Say you planned to see your friend in Dallas, TX on your way to San Diego. With this site you would need to enter a trip from Minneapolis to Dallas and then another trip from Dallas to San Diego.

Give Cost2Drive a try the next time you have a road trip to plan!

All the frequent detours allow me to get up and stretch my legs and arms which keeps me alert, stimulates blood circulation and prevents my back from getting too stiff. I know many of you may just want to get there as quick as possible, but you should try and stop every couple hours, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Always allow time for breaks in your itinerary, it is imperative to your well being. Besides, you’re probably traveling through unknown territory and what better time to soak up the surroundings and make your trip a little more memorable. For instance, my favorite road trip discovery of late is this truck stop/fireworks stand/antique/lawn ornament store between Omaha and Kansas City. It’s like a buffet of useless things one could ever need to buy while on a road trip, unless you’re in desperate need of gnome for your garden… Then this is your place!

Okay, so here are a number of exercises you can do while traveling cross country.

• Pelvic tilt. Funny name, good exercise. This exercise may help prevent or relieve any lower back discomfort and will work your abdominal muscles. Sit up tall in yourseat and place your hands behind you at the small of your back. Now press your back into your fingers by contracting your abdominal muscles.Hold for 10 seconds, then relax. After doing this a few times, try holding the contraction longer.

• Quadriceps contractions. Using one leg at a time, straighten your knee and contract your quadriceps. Hold the contraction for 10 seconds and do this several times.

• Upper-body stretches. Tilt your head toward one shoulder, then the other. Do shoulder circles in both directions. Clasp your hands together on the steering wheel and round your shoulders and upper back. If the weather cooperates, get out of your car for these exercises:

• Full-body stretch. Clasp your hands together and reach above your head, stretching yourself as tall as possible.

• Calf stretch. Step one foot behind the other and press your heel down. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

• Squats and lower back stretches. Stand beside your open car door and support yourself by holding onto your open window. Squat down to a 90-degree bend in your knees, then stand up. Do this 10 to 15 times. Stretch your lower back by bending at your waist and stretching away from the door.

So if you follow my suggestions, you can save yourself from pain and stiffness, all the while enjoying the scenic highways of these great United States. Happy travels!

They asked:

Has the cost of gasoline caused you to adjust your commute?

49% Yes. I mostly use public transportation now.
24% No. It has not had an impact on my commute.
12% Yes. I now have a small or hybrid vehicle.
9% Yes. I need an assignment within walking distance of my housing.
4% Yes. I ride my bicycle or walk.
2% Yes. I joined a carpool to help with the expense.

 

What about you? Has the increase in gas prices affected you and your travel nursing decisions?

BTW. Here are some links to some older posts about gas prices that you may find helpful:

Top ten links to help travel nurses save gas
Travel nursing and gas costs