Road trips are milestones and an American tradition, but it’s not as carefree as it seems in the movies. A perfect road trip requires planning, starting with making sure the vehicle’s maintenance is up to date. All cars should undergo regular maintenance checks throughout the year, particularly before the start of extreme winter or summer seasons. Can’t remember the last time your vehicle had a diagnostics check? It’s time to make an appointment with your mechanic, particularly to make sure parts like brake pads are adequate and that there’s enough treat on the tire. In some cases, renting a vehicle might be a better move, especially if you don’t want to put a lot of miles on your own vehicle.
Now that your vehicle’s maintenance is up to par, it’s time to tick some key items off your road trip to-do list. Here are the five best tips for a perfect road trip:
Don’t let your responsible driving go by the wayside.
You’d never drink and drive when it comeso happy hour after work, but something about road trips can make otherwise cautious people take risks. You don’t know the areas, you think it’s just a few miles between the hotel and the bar, and one drink won’t make that much of a difference. However, statistics show that the vast majority of accidents take place near a person’s home. Your home away from home is whatever hotel ytou’re staying in, and adding in alcohol and unfamiliar roads makes for a dangerous combination. If there aren’t your usual safe driving options available, such as Uber or Lyft, make sure you have a local taxi number stored in your phone and don’t take any risks.
Take a break when you’re tired.
Numerous studies have shown that driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. If you’re road tripping with other drivers, agree to a schedule and take the opportunity as a passenger to get in some naps. When everyone is tired, pull off to an aptly-named rest area for some power naps. If you’re exhausted, go off schedule and check into a hotel. Driving tired for long stretches on unfamiliar roads is one of the fastest ways to ruin any vacation.
Agree to technology usage.
Road tripping with friends and family is a fantastic way to bond. However, all of that bonding isn’t going to happen if everyone except the driver is glued to a screen. Some screen time on long road trips is alright, but why not take the opportunity to indulge in some car games, chat, or challenge yourself to stop at some of the lesser known roadside attractions? In some cases, you may not have service on your trip, so it’s important to have other means of entertainment. Use this time to re-connect and immerse yourself in the areas around you. Always carry portable power bank and charging backpack.
Utilize apps and websites to optimize every stop.
We’re fortunate to live in an era where we can easily find the top-rated restaurants, destinations, and more with the lot of useful travel apps. However, you don’t want to spend the entire vacation making last-minute plans. Take some time before your trip to figure out a tentative schedule that includes stops everyone on the trip is excited about. You can always go off-schedule, but you don’t want to arrive at the day’s stop not knowing anything about the most popular attractions.
Allow for plenty of buffer time.
You don’t want to pack your schedule too tightly or commit to driving an ambitious amount of miles every day. It will only lead to frustration, being tired, and not enjoying the trip. If you’re prone to over-planning, pencil in some down time and calculate the driving hours to be longer than they are. Arriving early or having time to fill is a great problem to have. Often, this is when the best moments of a road trip pop up.
Road trips can be a fantastic way to spend quality time with loved ones. With a little planning, they can also be an affordable alternative to air travel, especially during expensive holiday times. What’s your next destination?
Love traveling.
