Road trips can be so much fun, as long as you know what you are doing and you are prepared for anything. The amount of people who think that they can just set off on a road trip without any kind of pre-planning, only to find themselves stuck and struggling when they get on the road is more than you would believe.
Like any other kind of trip, a road trip needs to be planned, certain things need to be done, and there are even things you might not have thought about that could cause issues if you’re not careful. It’s important to take some time before you leave to think through all of these things, and make all of the necessary preparations. But, if you don’t know what they are, it’s not a problem because we’ve got your back. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
Have Your Vehicle Checked Beforehand
Before you go on any kind of road trip, you need to ensure that you are checking your vehicle, or having it checked by a professional. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, then you need to book it into a garage so that you can have it looked over because it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t seem as though there are any issues, and it doesn’t matter if it’s been driving soon up until now. What matters is that you need to have the peace of mind necessary to drive your vehicle for a long distance without something going wrong that could have been prevented.
If you do know what you’re looking for and you’re quite handy when it comes to cars, then you can check the vehicle over yourself. Just ensure that you are doing a thorough job, and if there is anything that’s not quite right, do not drive it. We know it’s tempting to think that it will all be okay, but you never know, and the truth is that it’s always better not to take that risk.
To Plan A Route Or Not To Plan A Route?
Some people like to plan a route when they are heading off on a road trip, and others prefer not to. This is entirely personal preference, and you need to make a decision based on what is going to best suit you. For those who like to be prepared, who like to know where they are going, when they are likely to get there without factoring in things like traffic, planning a route is always best.
But, it might also be the case that you just want to see where the wind takes you. You just want to set out on the open road and get to where you are going in whatever way you end up going. This causes other people a whole load of stress, and if you don’t think that you would be able to deal with the not knowing, we do not recommend this type of travel.
Look Into Accommodation Options
When you’re on a road trip, you’re still going to need places to stop and sleep. You can’t just drive all of the time without stopping for rest because this is dangerous and you could end up causing an accident. When you’re tired, your reaction times are less than they should be, you will be sluggish, and you may end up missing something that you would have seen if you were fully alert.
So, you’ve got to look into accommodation options along the way. Of course, if you’ve not planned your route then you’re not going to know where you can stop, but when you feel yourself starting to get a bit on the tired side, this is when you should start looking for a place to stay.
If you are traveling in an RV, you can sleep in your vehicle but you still need somewhere to park up. Some people choose to stop in lay-bys, but this isn’t exactly the safest option that we’ve heard of. Instead, it’s a great idea to look for an RV park on your Satnav, call them to see if they’ve got space, and then go from there.
Have A Plan In Case Of Breakdown
There must always be a plan in place, even at the back of your mind in case of a breakdown. Road accidents and breakdowns do happen so you must be prepared for all eventualities. If you have cover then you will be able to call a tow truck to rescue you and take your car to the nearest garage. Hopefully here, they will be able to fix it and get you on your way again as soon as possible.
Make A Road Trip Playlist
Music can be an absolute lifesaver while you are driving. If you encounter a massive traffic jam then music will help you pass the time. If you are tuned into the radio, it will also keep you updated and informed of progress on the road you are stuck on. If you want to be prepared then you could create a road trip playlist with all your favorite tunes. This could include songs from the year you were born right up to current day music. Try and have something for everyone, so Disney songs for the kids if that is what they are into. Ask while you are creating it, so you don’t miss anyone or anything off the list.
Another thing to consider is how you are going to entertain all passengers in the car. If you are traveling with adults then conversation and music is typically the way to go, with a few naps along the way. However, traveling with children is a whole different ball game. You will need to be ready with the games and improvisation if they are getting bored and restless. If your children are used to being out on the open road then you might not have any issues with this.
There are plenty of things you can take and do along the way. They might have tablets or handheld devices that you can preload with movies and games. This will keep anyone quiet for quite a while. You could also play classic games like eye spy with my little eye, this is always a great one for the kids as it gets them thinking and looking for different things.
Check The Weather Before You Go
Finally, there is one thing that can ruin any road trip and that is bad weather. If you have time to plan your road trip in advance then it might not be the case of predicting the weather, you will just have to take the rough with the smooth on that one. However, if you are planning an impromptu road trip then of course, take a look at that weather chart and see when it will be nicer to drive out on the open road.
Remember, you don’t want it to be roasting hot but at the same time you don’t want it to rain everyday as you won’t be able to go out and do everything you want. Being stuck in a car, even with the air con on when the weather is muggy or humid is not fun for anyone.
Hopefully you found this article interesting and insightful. When you are planning a road trip there are lots of things to plan and get right. Don’t worry if you forget something, that is totally normal. All that matters is that you have a great time!