4 Simple Rules for Following the Leader on a Road Trip

We have all been there. We’re on a road trip that involves having a caravan of cars following one car to a destination (known or unknown). As they go along the lead vehicle struggles with losing the ones following behind them, or getting separated, or missing turns because the ones following can’t seem to keep up.

By the time you’ve arrived at your destination you’re already ticked off at the people you’re supposed to be spending the time with and have to de-escalate before you can emerge for social time at your intended destination.

But, my friends, it doesn’t have to be like that.

If we all followed these 4 simple rules in following someone on a road trip, I think the trip would be less stressful, and overall it would be a much more pleasurable experience for all involved.

Those 4 simple rules are this:

1. It is YOUR responsibility as the FOLLOWER to keep up with the leader. They are the pace setter, not you. So keep up. They shouldn’t have to keep looking in the rear view mirror worrying about whether or not you’re still with them. They should focus on getting where they are going and you should focus on keeping up with them.
2. As the follower it is YOUR responsibility to be the “pick” when switching lanes. “Pick” is a term often used in basketball when a player gets in the way of a player on the opposing team so that their teammate can get around the opponent and either get closer to the hoop or take a better shot. As the vehicle “pick” you get over first and then let the leader over. This helps ensure you stay together and that faster drivers don’t try to cut you off when having to go around slower drivers. If it is a long line of cars in the caravan, it should be the last car in the line that acts as the “pick”.
3. ALWAYS let the leader know if you need to stop for any reason and where you need to stop. If you pull off at a rest area or an exit for gas or food and don’t tell the leader, and they don’t see you, you don’t have the right to get angry at them for not stopping. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
4. ALWAYS use GPS or an atlas and ALWAYS know the destination for where you are going. You should have the address for where you are headed. The leader should not be the only person knowing where they are going and everyone else just blindly following. This is key, especially if by some chance the caravan gets separated from one another.

So there you have it, 4 simple rules to follow when following another driver on a road trip.

Follow these rules and you will (almost always) arrive together and have more fun together!