One of the best ways to experience the country in all its beauty is going on a road trip. A road trip is an amazing way to get to the heart of a region, unlike pre-booked vacations, which usually involve hurried tour guides, hectic airports, and detailed or complicated itineraries. Going on a road trip would let you enjoy traveling at your own pace, soaking in nature and taking in the full scope of the scenery.
You can take a road trip alone with friends or with family. However, road trips need creativity and planning to ensure success. Here are some excellent tips to ensure your next road trip is the best.
1. Get your car ready for the trip.
Don’t let car trouble spoil your awesome road trip. Ensure you get your car checked by your mechanic before you embark on your trip. Even though you can’t predict the road and every mechanical trouble you may encounter, inspecting parts, fluids, tires before you hit the road can spare you a lot of time you may spend looking for a mechanic instead of having fun at the beach or wherever.
Some things to ensure are in good condition are the car battery, the brakes, ensure you have a spare tire, ensure all the fluids are replaced, and all the moving parts are oiled. Remember not to forget your lights and the electrical equipment are in working order. Doing that will ensure you have a smooth and successful road trip, and the car will get you to and back from your trip.
Another thing to ensure you have is all the papers for your car. Check if your car insurance is up to date. Pack extra cables, a first aid kit, torches, and anything you may need in case of an emergency or if you get lost. Ensure you also pack your driving license and put it somewhere you can easily get to whenever you are asked.
2. Compartmentalize your stuff
Searching through a huge bag of clothes, toiletries, or electronics while on the road will definitely drive you crazy, especially if you have to do it more than once. Use smaller bags to categorize all your stuff; you can pack your necessities in your birdling backpack and things you don’t need every day in the suitcase.
For example, if you know you will be going to the beach, you can pack your backpack with your beach costume towels, sunscreen, and the like. Then have another bag containing your overnight essentials so that when you book your hotel for the evening, you don’t have to carry the whole suitcase to the hotel room, you leave it in the car.
3. Make a plan
It’s essential to make a plan for your entire road trip. Make sure you plan where you will go, sleep, the destinations, and everything you will be doing on the road trip. If you don’t make a clear plan, you may spend the entire road trip vacation on your first stop, then rush through the other destinations.
It’s not a must you schedule a minute-by-minute itinerary, but a simple idea of how much time you think each destination will take and the places you would like to visit would be ideal. Ensure you squeeze in some extra time for spontaneous destinations and activities.
When planning your trip, don’t plan an entire day of driving. Scenic routes are awesome but make plans in advance for the time spent driving and ensure you stick to the plan. Few people enjoy long hours driving.
4. Make your budget
You need to make a budget for everything you will be spending money on before hitting the road. Even if you are going on a solo trip, a budget is essential.
Make a budget for gas, hotels, your meals and snacks, any activities you plan to undertake, alcohol, turnpike tolls, and souvenirs. If you are traveling with someone or family, factor in that too when creating your budget. It would be best to plan for their lodging, food, etc. If you have kids, budget for that too.
5. Try the back roads
Unless you have a strict schedule and specific destinations you will be visiting, there is no point in leaving the highway and using the countryside route. However, some of these back roads offer amazing scenic views, and the experience can be breathtaking.
Some US road maps show interesting back roads. You wouldn’t want to be stuck on a boring road with nothing to see. However, don’t use these back routes blindly. Always have a map and an escape plan if you ever get lost.
6. Join a roadside rescue service
You can never predict what may happen when on a road trip. And worse still is getting stuck on the roadside, not knowing who to call because you are not in your home area.
Joining a roadside rescue service may help you connect to local tow services and mechanics. This may save you a lot of hassle and downtime.
7. Download songs and movies
Streaming movies or music can kill your phone or laptop real fast. Before you start your road trip, ensure you download movies or music you would like to listen to or watch while on the road.
As you continue your trip, delete watched movies and other stuff to create room for more songs, movies, or podcasts.
8. Don’t forget to stock up on lots of water.
Water is essential when on a road trip. It will aid in cooling you down on a hot summer day, will help fight fatigue and headaches. Additionally, you can use the water for other purposes, such as pouring it on your engine when it overheats.
You can also use the water to wash your face and cool down or even clean the inside of your car if you spill something. Don’t buy water from anywhere. You are better off carrying your water and lots of it.
9. Buy souvenirs
If you make multiple stops in different areas, you can buy a few souvenirs. Souvenirs are an awesome way of remembering your trip. Get a postcard, key chain, coffee mug, t-shirt, or anything you find interesting.
When you get home, you can put them on display in your home as a reminder of your road trip.
You can also get creative with your pictures. For example, you can take pictures of locations, road signs for those memorable moments.
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