Sample student Process essay

Student X
Planning the Near-Perfect Road Trip

Think of how many times you’ve been on a road trip. Has it been a very stressful or relaxing time for you? Have you actually prepared for it? In most cases people don’t actually prepare the “road trip” it is a last minute thing. Last minute road trips aren’t always bad; there have been many road trips that have turned out great. When going on a road trip, you want to be prepared. Not being prepared can result in a lot of mishaps. Make sure when traveling you: have a very reliable car, have the funds to actually travel, reserved place to stay, and also make sure you have extra driver to travel with you if desired.
A reliable car is the first thing you need when going on a road trip. You can drive a “bucket” around the city, but they are not recommended for the highway. A reliable car gets you where ever you may need to go. A ten point inspection on the vehicle is recommended before putting it on the road. Start by checking the fluid levels in the car; make sure everything is filled to the correct level and is the proper color. Next check to tread of the tires (It’s not a good idea to ride on bald tires), make sure they have ample tread for the distance you are to travel. Third, you need to make sure nothing is hanging from the underbody and outside body of the car. After that you want to take the key and insert it into the ignition and turn the car on; make sure all warning lights and indicators are off. If all that is good on the car, then your car is reliable.
To be able to go on a road trip, you will need the funds. Whether you work at a job or you borrow money from someone, money is a priority. Once you’ve gotten your funds, its time to do the financial planning. When planning how to use the money, there are a few things to keep in mind: the cost of gas, the cost of food, and also money to have if you would like to go shopping. The cost for gas can be measured when you look up the directions (www.mapquest.com is frequently used for this task). It’s better to look at the miles you will travel, and determine how much gas you will need. The cost of food can be cut dramatically, if you have your own food prepared. Having homemade food, bottled water, and snacks along the way, will stop you from buying fast food. You’re going to want to shop of course; when doing so, remember to stay in your budget.
As reserved place to stay may just be the single most important thing to plan. Make reservations for a hotel ahead of time. It’s always best to plan ahead when trying to get a room; you never know if they will all be occupied. The only way you wouldn’t have to purchase a room, is if you know someone where you intend to go or you have a mobile home. Once you have the place to stay, then you can plan how long you’re going to be staying there. Make sure you have adequate space to accommodate you and the people you bring along (you don’t want to be cramped).Keep in mind that it is best to have the place where you will stay near the attractions or places you intend to go to.
If you travel alone, then make sure you are set for the road trip. It’s best to have someone to accompany you along on the ride. That way they can help you drive, keep you entertained, and also make sure you are safe on the way to you destination. When you get tired, you can pull over to the side of the road to switch drivers. That is recommended, because on occasion drivers that drive alone, tend to get tired and fall asleep at the wheel. So make sure that the person driving with you is prepared to drive the length of the trip, and eventually take turns driving (remember to make sure you both have your licenses).

So do you think you’re going to be prepared for your next road trip? Did the steps in the previous paragraphs help? Did they make you think about how you did or didn’t plan you last few road trips? Are the tips useful in planning your road trip? Remember, you need to always make sure you prepare when taking a road trip. Keep in mind that you need a reliable car, funds to travel, a place to stay, and if desired an extra driver. Make sure all things are in order. With that you can bet you will have an almost perfect road trip!