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A long road trip can be an enormously satisfying way to spend a few days – or a few months.
But getting the best from this kind of adventure means putting in the groundwork, and forming a good plan. Let’s take a look at a few key considerations for those planning a road trip.
Plan Your Route and Stops
The better you know your route, the better able you’ll be to cope with unexpected delays and obstacles along the way.
You can also ensure that your sessions in the driver’s seat aren’t too long. Plan out all of your rest stops, including breaks for lunch.
Planning small siteseeing trips en route are a great way to break up the journey.
Make sure that you research the route thoroughly using online forums and maps, and that you plan for any necessary detours.
Using a livemap such as Google Maps or Waze can help you avoid traffic whilst being aware of any road closures so that your trip is as smooth as possible.
Make sure to plan for delays, if you are heading to accommodation with a tight check in time, ensure you have a contingency plan or contact details on hand if your cirmustances change.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Be sure that your car is ready for the trip. You might schedule a service so that it occurs just before you set out.
At the very least, you’ll want to go through the essential parts of the car and make sure that they’re up to the job.
This might mean inflating or swapping the tyres, topping up oil levels, and replacing windscreen wipers.
If you’re travelling with a loaded car, it is emperative that you have checked the tyre pressure needed for your weight.
Your car should also contain a kit filled with emergency supplies, in case you find yourself stranded.
You’ll also want to make sure that you and your passengers are prepared for the trip.
This might mean investing in temporary car insurance, so that you can share the burden that comes with actually driving the car.
Pack Smartly
There are a number of essential items that you might need along the way. The best way to ensure that you don’t miss anything is to make a list and check items off as you pack them.
What the list looks like will tend to vary, depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing.
But there are certain items that you’re sure to need. Your driving license and insurance details might be called upon, for example.
You’ll also need a supply of snacks, plenty of water to deal with hydration, and comfortable clothing for the road.
Passengers might also want to be entertained – so be sure that you have access to music, games consoles, or tablet computers.
It is a good idea to create a playlist for your trip, Spotify offers group ‘jams’ which means everyone can have a say in what music is being played.
If you are a passenger should be careful not to get too distracted by the entertainment as it is common courtesy to be alert so you can aid the driver as there is a good chance they will be driving on unfarmilar roads which they my benefit from some navigational help.
Stay Safe on the Road
The more time you spend on the road, the greater your risk of being involved in an accident. This goes especially if you’re fatigued.
You can limit the risk by limiting distractions, and by adhering to the speed limits. It’s also critical that you take regular breaks in order to limit the effects of fatigue.
Understanding the weather conditions that you may face on the road is important for staying safe.
If you are going to be driving in sunny conditions, the driver should have some sunglasses in the car as glare off the road can be particularly restrictive to vision.
If you’re unlucky and receive rain or snow during your trip, the driver should be aware of the changes in stopping distances of the vehicle. This can be exacerbated by a heavier car.
If your road trip involves driving to another country ensure that you can recognise the road markings and signage that you may come across.
Doing some revision beforehand will make you’re journeying far less stressful.
To conclude, a road trip can be an enjoyable experience to embark on. It can also be a great way to bulk out a holiday, as many people enjoy driving rather than flying.
