Carpooling

Meet First

Meet in a public place (coffee or lunch works well) or have a phone call before committing. Talk through schedules, preferences, and expectations. If it doesn't feel like a good fit, trust your instincts—it's okay to keep looking.

Carpooling works best when everyone feels comfortable and aligned from the start.

Driving Responsibilities

Decide who will drive and whether you'll rotate responsibilities.

Meeting Location

Choose a safe, convenient pickup spot (park-and-ride lot, neighborhood pickup point, etc.).

Route & Schedule

Confirm pickup times, route, and drop-off locations. Build in realistic travel time.

Cost Sharing

Agree on how to split gas, parking, and vehicle wear-and-tear costs. Set a clear rate (per day or per mile) so everyone can budget. 

Tip: Choose a simple payment method to keep transactions easy.

Communication

Exchange preferred contact methods (text, call, email) and share emergency contacts.

Backup Plan

Decide what happens if a driver is unavailable or someone needs to leave unexpectedly.

Reminder: Encourage everyone to sign up for RoundTrip's Emergency Ride Home Program for added peace of mind.

Before your first ride, agree on:

• Wait times: How long will you wait if someone is late? (Five minutes is a good rule of thumb.)
• Schedule flexibility: How will you handle occasional changes?
• In-vehicle preferences: Expectations for music, phone use, food and drinks, and smoking.
• Conversation norms: Keep discussions respectful and avoid controversial or political topics.
• Personal items: Any limits on what riders can bring.

To maintain a positive experience:

• Communicate clearly and promptly.
• Be on time.
• Keep the vehicle clean.
• Drive safely and courteously.
• Give advance notice of vacation or illness.
• Avoid strong scents.

If something isn't working, communicate early and reset expectations.