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The bus is one of the most environmentally responsible ways to travel. A cross-country bus trip emits half as many carbon emissions as a cross-country train trip. Planes are the greatest consumers of fuel. They produce about a ton of CO2 on a cross-country flight, and driving by yourself is comparable to a plane ride over long distances.
If you are traveling cross-country alone, the bus is definitely the cheapest and greenest way to go.
Riding cross-country can be an arduous process. It definitely takes the most time, up to three days. The advantage is being able to work on your laptop, or blaze through your long-ignored stack of The New Yorker.
In order to make your bus trip more pleasant, I've compiled a list of ten things that you should bring.
Top 10 Things You Need to Make Your Cross-Country Bus Trip Comfortable
- Loose, comfortable clothing. Jeans are wretched to sleep in, bring your flannel pajama pants.
- Pillow and blanket to enhance your overall comfort.
- A duffel bag/suitcase with a lock. You can relax knowing that your belongings are secure.
- Reading material. Catch up on your reading. Now is the perfect time!
- Laptop and DVDs for endless entertainment.
- Compostable baby wipes.
This is a convenient way to keep yourself fresh when you cannot shower. Compost the wipes when you get back home.
- Reading light. You don't have to use the overhead lights and disturb your neighbors.
- Natural sleep aids. Can't sleep? Knock yourself out with chamomile, melatonin, and valerian root.
- Snacks. The options for food are usually grim and not environmentally savvy. You'll be stopping at a lot of fast food restaurants and gas stations. Pack some nuts and dried fruit.
- Headphones, tune out everyone around you as you gaze at middle America's amber waves of grain.
More on Buses
Track Buses by Phone, Internet, Bus Stop
Ride a Bus in the Winter and Survive
Take a Low-Carbon Vacation: 4 Ways
How to Go Green: Commuting
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