Some of the most memorable vacations happen in the form of a road trip. Just make sure yours is memorable for the right reasons.
Whether you’re hitting the road for a few hours or embarking on a legendary cross-country drive, these tips will help stave off boredom, reduce arguments and keep you safe.
Road trips can be a rewarding way to travel as a family, thanks to the flexibility of travel times, the ability to stop when needed, and kids being familiar with the family car. However, sometimes long hours on the road make for cranky kids and parents.
Being on the open road for the first time is both an exciting and enriching experience. It gives you the opportunity to explore small towns, big cities, national parks, bond with nature and your travel buddies, and see the country in a different light. However, there’s a lot to be prepared for! While road trips are amazing, they can be dangerous and costly if you don’t plan accordingly
There’s something special about traveling highway-by-highway, town-by-town. The great road trip has inspired many to go forth and see the sights and people that make Places unique. Perhaps you too have been inspired to go on a road trip. If so, then you’ve got to understand that preparation is key—especially, for a car that’s about to go cross-country!
A road trip can be hard on a vehicle, so before you go you need to make sure your car is up for the challenge. Doing so may prevent costly repairs and unwanted headaches along the way.
There is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. There is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. To get the most of your experience, don’t miss these road trip tips.
Below is a list of the things that should be on your pre-road trip maintenance checklist:
Regularly Scheduled Maintenance – Be sure to start your trip right with regularly scheduled maintenance. This should at least include an oil change and fluid check. You can even go the extra mile and include windshield wiper replacements, air filter changes, tune-ups, serpentine belt replacements, coolant flush, etc.
Emergency Kit – Your emergency kit should not only include first-aid materials, but also tools that may come in handy in the event of a breakdown: flashlight, jumper cables, fix-a-flat, screwdrivers, wrenches, extra fuses, etc.
Battery Check – If you’ve been having trouble starting your vehicle, you may need to replace your battery. If your battery’s life is fine, then a simple check to make sure your battery terminals are clean should suffice.
Tire Check – There are two things you should consider when checking your tires. First, make sure your tires are in good condition, making sure the tread is sufficient and there is no damage to the tire wall. If you see any problems in regards to tire conditions, you may need to consider replacing your tires. Second, make sure the air pressure in your tires is at the optimal level.
Check Brakes – If your brakes have been squeaky, it’s time to change them. If your brakes sound fine but you’re still unsure, do a quick check. Your brake pads should have 1/4 of an inch of pad or more.
A/C Check – For summer especially, you’ll want an A/C system that works well. Do a quick inspection and if you’re A/C system isn’t working up to its potential then have a professional take a look.
Check Electricals – Check to make sure all your lights work: headlights, brake lights and blinkers. After checking your lights, inspect on all other electrical components such as windshield wipers, power locks, power windows, horn, etc.
Check Spare Tire and Jack – The only thing worse than a flat tire is finding out your spare tire is flat too. Before you go, make sure your spare is properly inflated and your jack is not defective.
Check Load Recommendations – Take a look at the load recommendations for your vehicle. If you pack within the recommended amount you’ll should be able to avoid potential breakdowns and also save on gas.
Consider Roadside Assistance Programs – Joining a roadside assistance program may be an added insurance measure to give you peace of mind while on your journey.
Pick out a few podcasts, too.
Even your favorite songs can get old after a while. To break up the monotony, try listening to a podcast. Whether you want to learn a new skill or get lost in a true crime thriller, there’s something for everyone.
Get serious about snacks.
Snacks can make or break a road trip. Just don’t go overboard on the junk ― your body will thank you. “We see people often throw their healthy eating habits out the window just because they are road tripping,”it can lead to fatigue and some, er, emergency pit stops. Try to snack on fruit, protein bars and veggies, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water. “A secret weapon is to stop at a grocery store ― even tiny towns have them ― to get your lunch, rather than the roadside burger joint,”
Get organized
Organizing all your clothing, gear, food, and accessories is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of any long road trip. But, after two, three, or four weeks of restacking bags, hunting for that small item, and shifting cargo around every curve of the road, you’ll be on the edge of losing it.
Buy stuff sacks or use gallon-sized Ziplock bags to organize smaller items. Buy midsized duffel bags or plastic totes for organizing smaller bags. Stackable totes that can lock together are best for keeping the totes from sliding around in the vehicle. Label everything and always leave the most frequently used items on top.
Get plenty of sleep
The first few days of a long road trip, you’ll likely feel energized by the excitement and tempted to stay up 18 hours a day. I can typically keep that level of stamina going for about the first three weeks of constant travel – but eventually, everyone slows down.
Getting plenty of sleep is important to maintaining your mental and physical health, not to mention keeping morale high. Spending too much time traveling and not enough sleeping will eventually lead to exhaustion, depression, and moodiness.
On a long road trip, plan to take one or two days a week off from travel. Find a nice roadside motel, splurge on a super nice hotel with a free hot breakfast, or settle into a campground for two nights. Avoid the temptation to go out and explore the area – just focus on rest and relaxation.
Keep the car clean (inside and out)
The day before any road trip begins, I always find one of those really nice car washes with the conveyor belt that pulls the vehicle through a wash cycle. Then, after getting the exterior cleaned.
For an added touch, the Little Trees Vent Wrap Car Air Freshner’s “new car smell” will make your vehicle smell brand new after getting it clean.
Leave room for souvenirs
I know I said “pack everything – including the kitchen sink” earlier, but don’t go overboard and fill the entire vehicle before you hit the road. More than likely, you will want to buy some souvenirs along the way.
Smaller souvenirs like clothing, décor, and Christmas ornaments – my favorite type of souvenir to buy – are easy enough to pack into a bag or tote in the vehicle. But if you buy more oversized items like artwork, glassware, or large gift items, ask the retailer if they can ship them to your home or a relative’s home for safekeeping. Often, the shipping is included, especially in areas of high tourism where they expect the buyers to be non-locals.
Bring your favorite ___________
Do you have a favorite coffee mug? Slippers? Or what about a television series you love to watch? Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those with you.
Bringing your favorite items with you on a long road trip can help you feel more at home and relaxed. Instead of missing that perfect coffee mug or comfortable slippers, you’ll feel much better having them with you.
Have an itinerary but leave room for spontaneity
It’s always good to have a travel itinerary. It’s essential to know the business hours of museums, restaurants, and attractions, so you don’t arrive too late or on a day when they are typically closed. Building an itinerary can help you avoid those frustrations.
However, leave room for spontaneous detours that will inevitably come along during a long road trip. Be prepared for entire destinations to change as your route progresses. Take advice from locals and be willing to give something new a try!
Watch out for 140-degree heat in the car
On sunny days during the summer months, vehicles’ internal temperatures can rise 30-40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. When I was a kid, I remember going for a walk to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during a family vacation. When we returned, my mom opened the back of the car to make snacks – only to discover the Cheese Whiz had exploded all over the car!
The high internal temperatures of vehicles can ruin more than just pressurized cans of food. Contact lenses, prescriptions, electronics, and coolers are all susceptible to damage from temperatures over 100 degrees.
You can reduce those internal temperatures by using a windshield sunshade. Close the sunshade on the moonroof. You may even consider buying curtains for the side windows – it’s not as silly as you might think.
Set a daily and final budget
My first road trip adventure of 2021 was a spontaneous, itinerary-free adventure along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Alabama, across Florida to Vero Beach. After a week exploring that area of Florida, I was considering heading south to Key West for what would have been my first visit. But when I looked at my bank account, my heart hit the floor when I realized my travel budget was at an end.
I’ve never been good at creating or keeping to a travel budget, and that resulted in a road trip cut short. So the better method is to create a daily budget and stick to it. But also give yourself leeway for those rare opportunities to do something awesome and set a final budget for the entire trip.
The advantage of a long road trip is that if you’re on the road long enough, you might just get an extra paycheck while you’re traveling. So how many vacation days do you have saved up for your long road trip?
Only travel by day
Some people only travel at night to avoid any traffic congestion at all – and that’s a good idea. But driving on unfamiliar roads at night poses some safety issues – not to mention what would happen if your vehicle broke down at 3 a.m.
The safest and surest way is to only travel by day. It will be much easier to keep aware of the unfamiliar road ahead, and you’re certain to get roadside assistance faster during normal business hours.
Choose the best road trip route
My #1 Rule for Road Trips is no interstate highways. There is just no reason to take a road trip route onto the interstate – you’ll miss everything along the way.
Document the trip
After returning home from an epic long road trip, it might be difficult to remember precisely where you found that amazing cheeseburger or savory salted caramel ice cream cone or watched that stunning sunset. It can be downright frustrating when you realize you don’t have a single photo to share or any clue where to find the name of that restaurant.
It starts with the photos. Capture an exterior photo of every restaurant, museum, and attraction you visit – and be sure to include the name of the business. Capture an interior photo and then one or two photos of every meal or activity.
Take a journal. Jot down notes of the places you visit. Feelings. Smells. Sights. Take note of the business name, details of the food you eat, and reaction to museums. Draw pictures and maps, create word maps, put any word to paper that comes to mind. It will all be wonderful to see all the photos and notes again when your long road trip is finished.
Keep in touch with regular updates
One of the most important safety measures you can take during a long road trip is to let someone know where you are and where you are going by the end of the day. Particularly in places where cellular reception could be spotty, it’s good to tell someone that by nightfall, you should be at a particular destination and able to call them again.
That way, if your vehicle breaks down while in a cellular dead zone with little traffic, at least someone knows the route you were driving to send rescue your direction.
Stay hydrated
Keep the water supply well-stocked for maximum energy. “A possible downside of this, of course, is that you’ll need to make more bathroom stops,”
To learn more about what to bring on a road trip, check out this list of essential items and tools to keep in your car.
Plan your rest stops
One of the most crucial tips for road trips is to get out of your car and stretch your legs every two hours or so, our experts suggest. Plan these stops into your long drive, whether they fall at mealtimes or can be timed to let you view interesting places.
Use energizing scents
During long distance driving, we also recommend keeping a source of peppermint scent nearby. When you feel you need a boost, take a sniff. “It’s a pleasant, all-natural pick-me-up that has been shown to reduce fatigue and increase alertness”.
Build background knowledge about where you’re going
While it’s hard to eliminate the “are we there yet?” questions, it is helpful to provide kids with an idea of where you’re going. Younger kids who don’t have a good understanding of elapsed time would benefit from knowing landmarks along the route to their destination to better understand the proximity to your destination.
Turn your road trip into a geography lesson by pulling out an atlas for older kids. A road can be used to show them where you live in relation to where you’re heading. Point out major roads you might be taking, things you might be stopping to see along the way, look at some photos of the area, and if possible, read some books about where you’re going so they know what to expect when you get there, especially if you haven’t visited your destination before.
As you learn about where you’re going, you can also work together to develop a list of “musts” on your vacation along with wish list items you hope to see or do while away.
Do some research about where you’re staying
Whether staying with friends or relatives, renting a house or condo, or occupying a hotel room during your trip, it’s helpful to know where you’re staying and what kinds of things are at your destination to know what to pack in the car. If you’re renting a house or a condo, get in touch with the property owner or rental management company to see what items will be provided. Even though laundry machines, a dishwasher, and a stove may be provided, you may need to bring laundry detergent and dish soap or pick some up when you arrive.
Hotels will furnish linens but rental properties may ask you to bring your own sheets and towels. Be sure to ask what size the beds are so you can bring the right size sheets from home. If staying with friends and relatives, bring a gift to thank them for their hospitality and be sure to send a nice note when you return home.
Family road trips can be a fun way to experience the country thanks to different scenery and interesting stops along the way. Even though your first car trip may seem daunting, by keeping an open mind, exercising patience, being flexible, and preparing, you can ensure it is a success for every family member.
SIT WITH GOOD POSTURE
Okay, I know this sounds like a strange tip. However, I promise it makes all the difference on road trips. If you’re a first-time road tripper, you might not realize how taxing it can be on your body. Sitting is the new smoking after all. Driving in the car is no different.
If you sit for too long in a position with poor posture, you’re setting yourself up for more aches and pains. So stopping to rest is definitely important, but sitting with an ideal posture is also going to make a big difference and give you more longevity on your trip.
Make sure your seat is adjusted properly for your body, tilted for maximum blood flow. If you feel a driving “trance” coming on, sit up. “Take a deep breath and scan your body for tension,” If your right hip is feeling sore, for example, lean to the other side.
IF YOU’RE A HARDCORE PLANNER, GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM
it’s also necessary to plan for unexpected delays or changes of plans! You won’t enjoy your first road trip if you treat it with the same rigor as your work schedule. It’s a vacation, after all!
So give yourself a little wiggle room and don’t make every plan back-to-back. Just in case there’s a delay on the open road or you prefer to spend an extra day in a new destination.
BOOK A ROADSIDE RESCUE SERVICE
This might be the final of these first road trip tips, but it’s by no means the least important. Sure, chances are you won’t get stranded on the side of the road on your first road trip adventure. But it happens even to those who plan the most. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. Except for purchasing roadside insurance!
Take An Inventory Of Items in your car to be sure you have jumper cables, flares, tools, a flashlight, and any other emergency supplies you may need in case you get into trouble on the road. Other items that you’ll want to be sure to have on hand include:
Antibacterial wipes
A small first aid kit
Umbrellas
Cozy blankets for trips in cold weather
Charging cables and USB plugs for each device you’re bringing.
