On the Road

Although the days of the traveling salesman aren’t what they used to be, plenty of small business owners often find themselves with a big stretch of highway between them and a potential deal. But a lengthy road trip doesn’t have to be painful. Here are some tricks to make your time on the road fly by.

Choose Your Car Wisely

If you’re renting a car, perhaps the most important thing you can do is book it well in advance. Avoid booking at the airport, where you’re a captive market. Like with flights, many companies and credit cards offer rewards for booking cars. Lindsey Carnett, CEO of Marketing Maven Public Relations, uses her American Express card, which offers an insurance program that lets her rent cars without paying for extra insurance costs. If you book in advance, watch for “upgrades” that could have you spending more money in gas mileage, and make sure the car you’re given actually fits your needs. If you’re traveling with a lot of boxes, for example, and you’re given a hatchback, check to see if there’s enough space in the back—and that there’s a parcel shelf to hide your goods from prying eyes.

Stay Healthy

Eating healthily on the road is an impressive feat, and the easiest way to accomplish this is often overlooked: don’t eat out. “If I have a long trip ahead of me, my first stop will always be to the grocery store where I'll buy sandwich fixings, plenty of fruit, and some protein bars. If you are renting a car, pack a cooler and keep your cold cuts, fruits, and water in the trunk, says Kerrin Sheldon, content manager of travel site Wanderfly.com. “Then, whenever you're hungry, you'll have something to satisfy your cravings that isn't fast food.” If part of your trip involves taking potential clients out for meals frequently, choosing vegetarian options may keep you from feeling like you’ve overdosed on too much rich restaurant food.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

While it’s hard to find a rental car nowadays that isn’t equipped with GPS, try not to rely on it too much. An old fashioned map is priceless in an emergency, and if you’re planning ahead, print out directions before you go. “I’ll Mapquest my whole route beforehand and have it printed out in my folder, so I have it as a backup,” says Carnett. Also, if you’re driving in an unfamiliar city, leave early for any meetings. “I give myself plenty of time driving because I don’t know what the traffic situations are,” says Carnett.

Take A Break

Taking the time to see the sights—even if it’s just from the road—can make a long road trip bearable. The site roadsideamerica.com has plenty of suggestions that are off the highway of places that you probably won’t find in a tourist guide, from the world’s largest ketchup bottle in Collinsville, IL to the house that looks like a shoe in Hellam, PA.