Whether you’re travelling across the USA or driving throughout Europe, a road trip is one of the most convenient ways to travel the world. Here are some tips about how to prepare for a road trip?
You can keep everything you need within your vehicle and take things with you as and when you need them.
Similarly, group road trips can be incredibly exciting, and they enable you to see so many sights along the way.
With this being said, in order for a road trip to be a success, it must be properly planned. Discover the top tips for preparing for a road trip below and embark on your adventure with confidence.
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Share The Drive
First things first, it’s always a good idea to share the drive among your party if you’re able to. This way, everyone is able to take a nap, check their phone, have a bite to eat, etc.
Driving for extended periods of time can lead to fatigue, which is quite literally an accident waiting to happen. It’s a good idea to switch drivers every couple of hours so that no one is growing bored or tired.
After all, it’s important that you remain alert and vigilant while behind the wheel. With this being said, if you’re sharing the driving responsibilities, it’s vital that all drivers have all the necessary licenses and insurances for the trip to be legal.
The roads are full of ANPR systems that will pick up illegal activity, and you’ll find yourself in a heap of trouble if you don’t adhere to the law.
Take Regular Breaks
As previously mentioned, continuous driving for hours on end can result in drivers becoming tired, making accidents more likely.
Therefore, if you’re unable to share the drive, the designated driver should take at least a 15-minute break every two to three hours.
This helps ensure that the driver can return to the wheel with fully restored concentration. Consequently, everyone in the car can rest assured that they’re in capable hands.
Pack the Essentials
There are a handful of essentials that everyone should take with them on their road trip. These include:
- The registration plate or sticker that details where the car is from.
- A torch, in case you ever need to look inside the bonnet or under the car. It’s also wise to bring some spare batteries along with you, too.
- A first aid kit ready for minor scrapes, bumps, or insect bites. As a minimum, your kit should contain cortisone cream, bandages, and plasters. If there are any major injuries, don’t rely on your first aid skills – report to the nearest hospital.
- Loose change for parking charges and toll roads that you may encounter on the course of your journey. Sat-nav for directions, reminders of speed limits, and nearby service stations. Of course, technology can always fail, so it’s also wise to keep an up-to-date road atlas in the car, too.
- Important documents, including your license, car insurance details, and breakdown services.
Pack for Comfort
When sitting in a car for hours on end, you want to be as comfortable as you possibly can be. It’s for this reason that you want to pack for comfort, which might look like:
- Snacks and drinks, as hydration and replenishment are incredibly important. Granola bars, nuts, and bananas are ideal for when you start to grow tired, and sandwiches are great for long-haul journeys. Meanwhile gum and mints are good stopgaps.
- Warm clothes ready for early mornings or late nights when you’re looking to beat the traffic,
- Toiletries, including suncream, wet wipes, hand gel, and tissues. Also any prescription medicine that you may have.
When preparing for a road trip, it’s essential to plan your activities, and if you’re heading to Washington DC, you’ll find a plethora of exciting things to do in Washington DC – check out this website for some great ideas!