Summer — the season of neighborhood cookouts, popsicle juice dripping down sticky fingers, and road trips. Call us car-zy, but this season brings an abundance of nostalgia, especially when it comes to driving down the highway while blasting The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be.”

That’s why we’re excited to kick off Hit the Road. In this summer road trip series, we will feature three destinations throughout June, July, and August — each with its own theme. We’ll be talking outdoor adventures, 30-mile getaways, and something for the foodies.

Before you pack your bags, here are some of our recommendations to prepare locally:

🥤 Stock up on road trip essentials

Swing by one of these Raleigh spots to stock up on snacks, drinks, and coffee to minimize your stops during the road trip.

Weaver Street Market, 404 West Hargett St. | Stock up on local and sustainable goods like Tribucha and Carolina Kettle potato chips.
Peace Street Market, 804 W. Peace St. | Pick up your favorite cold drinks + snacks — Anne would probably grab a kombucha and Cat’s a sucker for Chex Mix.
Global Village, 2428 Hillsborough St. | A cup of joe or something with espresso is essential for long drives. Grab a fresh pastry for a sugary pick-me-up later down the road.
Benchwarmers, 500 E. Davie St. | What better way is there to start a road trip than with fresh bagels and coffee?

Bonus: Grab a fun road trip game or craft at DECO.

🎶 Create a road trip playlist

Check out these local artists + add some of their tunes to your road trip rotation.

Kate Rhudy, “Dream Rooms”
Sylvan Esso, “Free Love”
Mipso, “Mipso”

🚘 Get your car ready

Check the fluids + car battery. If you notice anything out of the ordinary or need a last-minute oil change before you go, head to one of these local car shops.

Benchmark Autoworks, 227 W. Davie St.
Chapel Hill Tire, 2131 Harrod St. + 4325 Glenwood Ave.

Bonus: Find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank

🐶 Don’t forget about fido

Be sure to line up accommodations for your pet while you’re away. Reach out to one of the many local pet sitters or pet boarding facilities. Here are a few:

Dog Diggity, 8109 Ebenezer Church Rd.
Suite Paws, 110 S. Rogers Ln.
Pupsi, 8260 Chapel Hill Rd., Cary