Much like any holiday or adventure, there are a few things you should remember when going on a road trip. You can’t just wing it, and in some ways, there is far more planning that needs to be done compared to any other type of trip.
You need to remember everything from snacks to a road trip playlist to every stop you will make along the way. If you have never planned a road trip before, here are 10 of the most important tips you need to remember.
Sleep First
The first thing you should do before heading out on the road is to get a good night’s sleep. Driving for hours on end is difficult and tiring, and the last thing you want to do is to drive a 6 or 7-hour stretch on barely any sleep.
For longer road trips, switch drivers every few hours so the other can nap on the road, don’t force one person to do all the driving.
Bring Snacks
You must always ensure you have a stacked snack bag before you leave. Fill it with healthy snacks that will give you lasting energy and not make your body crash, and also remember drinks, especially water.
Depending on where you’re driving, there’s a chance you could go hours without passing a store. Therefore, stock up on snacks and then refill when you see a store.
Plan Your Stops
Always have a plan for where you are going to stop. Whether at a specific location, sight or gas station, mark where all of these places are and give yourself a timeframe for when you want to get to them.
Planning this also ensures you don’t have to rush and drive somewhere unfamiliar late at night when you’re tired.
Plan for Extra Time
Always plan any extra time you may need. You might end up staying at a particular spot for longer than you expected and therefore risk running late for another booking of some kind. Ensure you always have leeway, so you’re never rushing or late for anything.
Truck Stops, Not Rest Stops
Nowadays, truck stops are often far better than rest stops. There is a lot of foot traffic, they are quite safe, and you usually have access to clean bathrooms and showers. You can have a meal or refill your snacks and be ready to go again in no time.
Never Skip Filling Up
While this may seem obvious, never miss a chance to fill up your tank. There won’t be gas stations around every corner, and it could be hours between fill-up points. Therefore, whenever possible, fill your tank.
Have Charging Banks Available
No matter where you are going or how long you plan on driving, never leave your house or an overnight stop without a fully charged battery bank. Yes, you can charge your devices using car chargers, but if your car dies, you will need a backup.
Always Know Where You’re Going
While “going with the flow” and seeing where the road takes you is part of a road trip, you should still make an effort to plan where you are going and how you are getting there. Especially if you are traveling somewhere new, have a route planned out beforehand.
If you are traveling somewhere remote, have a hard copy of your route available in case your GPS loses signal for whatever reason.
Don’t Drive for Too Long
A mistake that too many people tend to make is that they drive for far too long. Unless there is an emergency of some kind, there is no need to drive through the night or drive for 13 or 14 hours non-stop.
Always make time to have a rest, or as mentioned before, swap drivers regularly so that everyone gets a chance to rest and relax.
Have Entertainment Available
Finally, always have some form of entertainment available. Create long playlists that have a good mixture of songs, especially songs that you can sing along to. This will keep your brain awake if you are driving and you’re a little sleepy.
Also, have a long list of podcasts downloaded for you and the car. Driving is boring so keep your passengers and yourself in a good mood with good music and interesting podcasts.