Think back to your last road trip–what did you do to prepare? Chances are you didn’t suddenly jump in the car and then a few hours (or days) later simply arrive. Yet this is what some people think retirement looks like. Instead, you’ve got to plan ahead and know where you’re going and how you’ll get there.

Maybe you took your share of summer road trips or perhaps you’re ready to get in the car and take a long weekend to see some of the fall foliage. Believe it or not, planning for a road trip is a lot like planning for your retirement.

The choice to retire is about more than just saying, “I’m retired.” Consider, where are you going to go? What are you going to do? Money is important, but it’s not the only thing. Maybe you even plan to take some more road trips in retirement! Or maybe you want to pursue a hobby or work part-time. Plan it out and think through what you’ll need and how to prepare for retirement.

After you know the destination, you still need to navigate the best way to get there. There may be technology available to help, both for a road trip or retirement, but you still need to pick the route and choose who will help you get there. Not only that, but you need to decide what and who to listen to along the way.

Sometimes in retirement planning people want to put things on autopilot. Just like you need to watch the road, you’ll want to monitor your investments and evaluate your goals and progress on an annual basis.

Are you ready to hit the road toward retirement?

Listen to the full episode or click the timestamps below to find out why retirement planning is like going on a road trip.

1:18 – Planning a road trip is like planning for retirement.

1:37 – Decide where you’re going.

3:57 – Determine the route.

7:16 – Consider who you’re listening to.

9:55 – Know when to use cruise control.