By Ted Krisko of Ataxia

Getting there is half the fun, especially when headed off into the wilderness for a wild weekend festival like Electric Forest. But even with the freedom that the open road provides, there are still some important rules everyone must follow to assure a good time is had by all.

5. NO BEEF FROM MEXICAN FAST FOOD JOINTS
If you or your road-trippin’ buddies eat that burrito full of the sloppy, runny, certified Grade D beef, it will set off a chain reaction of unnecessary rest stop visits with unsavory sanitary conditions. You’ll turn that new car smell into a funk from hell in no time flat after a mistake like that.

4. MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THEIR MEDICINE
Nothing is worse than having to turn around because you forgot to bring the cure for what ails you. Make sure everyone has had their vitals checked and is prepared to venture on the long haul without having a panic attack or full on freak out because they forgot their stuff.

3. DECIDE WHO WILL PROGRAM MUSIC FOR THE TRIP
Everyone thinks their music is the best, and the road trip is the perfect time for that aspiring YouTube DJ to take their next step into the limelight. Make a decision based on street cred, or scene points perhaps. I don’t suggest rock, paper, scissors, you may end up listening to the Best of Ke$ha or the latest über-gabber mix.

2. RIDE WITH PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN TALK TO (AND WHO KNOW WHEN TO SHUT UP)
We all love a good chat, but sometimes you just gotta stay silent and drive into the sunset with your hair blowing in the wind and Toto blasting on the stereo. Tempo and pace is everything on the road, so watch for social cues like someone turning the car stereo up, or being “shushed.” It’s ok to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

1. REPEAT AFTER ME, “IT DOESN’T MATTER”
Don’t let anyone ruffle your feathers too badly. Enjoy yourself and take a load off. This is your vacation too, so don’t allow your tender spirit to be crushed. Take everyone else’s drama with a grain of salt, and whatever you do, don’t take yourself too seriously. It’ll all pass in 20 minutes. If you really want to lighten the mood, bump “Invisible Touch” by Genesis and make some eye contact with the people around you.