If you had to imagine what the stereotypical road trip looked like, what would it be? Odds are you’d be waving your hands in some kind of convertible with rock ballads playing at a louder volume than normal. You may have sandwiches and refreshments in a cooler, perhaps a few boxes and suitcases taking up empty suits, and a relatively flexible route to take except for some deadlines and destinations you need to meet.
There’s nothing wrong with that picture. Yet, like most stereotypes, it hardly accounts for everything. This means that, for the most part, all the advice you see online and from travel blogs is less than cohesive. They might not take into account your wish to drive a camper van, to rent motorcycles, to travel specific destinations, or what to do if you have no plan.
While we can’t cover everything in the world either, we can certainly suggest some provisions that may help you feel more focused, attentive, and also safe as you head from place to place. This gives you more room for enjoyment. Without further ado, let’s begin:
Invest In A Reliable Paper Map
For most of our modern minds, phones and GPS systems seem fine. That is until the battery dies in the middle of nowhere, the signal cuts out, or the unit glitches and leaves you stranded with nothing but frustration.
The fun of a road trip is often its analog interactions with the road and with the environment around you, and so while a paper map might feel old-fashioned, maybe even redundant, it’s a safety net that could help you out of trouble. It’s lightweight, it fits neatly into a glovebox, and it doesn’t need a charger either.
You could even circle destinations ahead of time with a red marker, making navigation simple if things get tricky, or just read over it on your breaks to learn place names. It’s of course reassuring to have a backup and that may hold more information about local attractions and places to stop over than a GPS that tries to cover the entire world. Luckily, most places along main roads will still sell them, or you can of course order one online before you head out. Try to go as regionally specific as you can for the highest detail.
Pack An Emergency Kit Tailored To Your Route
Most guides will tell you to bring a first aid kit, jumper cables, and bottled water. That’s fine, but it’s a pretty generic list and it may not give you everything you need.Think about where you’re going and what could happen there.
For instance, if you’re driving through desert heat, then extra coolant and a wide-brimmed hat wouldn’t be a bad idea. If it’s winter and you’re heading up into snowy areas, then assuming your car is compatible, chains for the tires and thermal blankets could turn into pretty important essentials.. You may also find that simple plastic tarp can do double duty as a ground cover or emergency shelter if the weather turns ugly, or bear spray could help keep you safe if you’re just going to relieve yousrelf. A kit that’s actually fitted to your environment is a lot more helpful than one built for a totally different trip.
Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Sleep Prep
Many road trip goers assume they can pull over and sleep anywhere, which sometimes is true. But the reality is often a little messier. You may come across parking lots with security patrol who are less than happy to see you, full designated rest stops, and campgrounds that allow overnight parking but not for your car style, and it’s worth knowing all this before its pitch black outside and you desperately need some shuteye.
As such, it’s worth having a shortlist of places you could safely pull over and sleep if needed, suitable for your vehicle. An RV can only safely park so many places, for instance. Moreover, consider the comforts of your trip, for instance a folded-up eye mask and a pair of earplugs tucked into the center console can be the difference between waking up refreshed or barely functioning. And of course, you don’t have to sleep in your vehicle, sometimes bringing camping gear or just booking into hotels is enough.
Get Familiar With Basic RV Repair (Even If You Don’t Own One)
RVs are impressive feats of engineering, which is why they can seem more reliable than a standard car or van, but of course, they can and do break down as well. Learning simple maintenance tasks like spotting a slow tire leak, checking propane fittings, or resetting a tripped breaker could easily save your group a travel day.
Even if you’re not in the multi-million dollar setups we think of, plenty of rental vans, trailers, and SUVs use similar setups. Finding an RV repair near me service and having a full, comprehensive inspection before you go could mean the difference between an annoying issue that can be resolved and a full-blown disaster that leaves you stranded and your insurance unhappy about paying for a specialist tow. It’s a solid grounding preparation to make.
Strangely, You May Be Bored, So Prepare For That
Road trips have a reputation for being nothing but exciting, because the idea is quite romantic. We’ve all heard songs that proudly talk about open highways, new scenery around every bend, perhaps a lover on your arm. That can all be true of course and that’s no doubt why you’re headed out, but what they don’t mention is how long and empty some stretches can feel after six hours behind the wheel, or if you’re stuck in someone else’s commute traffic.
It’s good to have some recreation then, such an audiobook you actually want to hear, a deck of cards, maybe a paperback to read when out of the car. You might have CD’s for when your radio or phone needs to charge without syncing to the unit. Little changes like this can help.
With this advice, we believe you’ll focus on the road trip preparations that are rarely spoken of, but just as important as anything else you could plan in advance.
