By Kris McDowell
Summer is often prime time to head out on a road trip – from a couple days away to a week or more. Whether it’s a shorter trip or a longer one, there are some things you can do during your planning to make the trip as fun and relaxing as possible once you hit the road.
Make sure your vehicle is in good condition
There’s nothing worse than setting off for a road trip, only to be stuck by the side of the road. Simple at-home preparations include checking your tire pressure, oil and wiper fluid levels and filling the gas tank. If it’s been awhile since your car has been in for an oil change or tune up, think about scheduling that prior to your trip. If you have roadside assistance coverage, make sure that information is easily accessible, just in case.
Put together things to listen to
Create a playlist for the trip, download an ebook or let each person in the car select something they’d like to listen to along the way. Don’t forget to have materials downloaded or an alternate plan (does anyone still have a CD player?) in case you are traveling through areas without connectivity.
Bring healthy snacks and water
Snacks tend to be a road trip necessity and while some fun things should definitely be included, try to pack some healthy snacks like fruits, nuts or granola bars and make sure to have plenty of water as well. If your trip goes as planned, these will just be snacks, but if you encounter difficulties, these may well be lifesavers. Make sure to have some for your furry friends, too, if they are joining you.
Bring your chargers
Besides not running out of juice when you’re rocking out to your playlist, you will likely also use a map function on your phone at some point, which can drain a battery quickly. Make sure to have the proper charging cables for everyone’s devices (Android, iPhone, tablets, etc). A battery bank may also be a good backup for charging when you’re not in the vehicle or when all the plug ins are being used.
Pack an emergency kit
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully you won’t have to use it but make sure to pack an emergency kit including some essential tools, including a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables and first aid kit. Emergency kits can be purchased at multiple places or you can put together your own from items you likely already own. You may also want to consider a small, portable air compressor for filling tires (or an air mattress if camping) and a jump pack in case you find yourself with a dead battery.
Make stops to stretch your legs
Experts suggest that you should get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs every two hours. This can be done efficiently by planning for stops that involve meals, sight seeing or fueling up.
Don’t drive when you’re tired
Driving while you’re tired is extremely dangerous because it lowers your reaction time and reduces your ability to focus. Make sure you have plenty of sleep before you get behind the wheel, make regular stops and when there is more than one person able to drive, take turns.
Agree on sight-seeing stops
When you set out on your journey there may be interesting sites to see on the way, but if you have a set time frame you may have to prioritize some places over others. Make sure to discuss with your fellow passengers, ahead of time, which are must-see sites to avoid disappointment.
Agree on a budget
Depending on who you’re traveling with, this may or not be relevant to your trip. If your fellow passengers are each paying their own way, discuss meals (eating at restaurants, grabbing items from gas stations or bringing meals with you) and accommodations (staying in hotels or camping in tents). The cost of the vehicle and gas may also be things to discuss.
Happy road-tripping!