The thrill and excitement of a road trip will never grow old, especially when there are new places to visit and fresh experiences to be had. Planning a road trip can also be a lot of fun as it builds up the anticipation for your holiday, and helps you to feel as prepared as possible before you head off. There’s no doubt that road trips can be so full of fun and adventure, but getting the logistical side of things sorted before you go is fundamental, especially when it comes to your car. Getting from A to B may seem easy on paper, but when you’re in a real-life road trip situation things aren’t always plain sailing. In order to avoid any unexpected hiccups along the way, you may want to consider some of the following non-negotiables.
These are all recommendations to help you experience a smooth and enjoyable road trip that keeps you as safe as possible. Whether you’re carrying out research on your chosen route, or you’re getting your car checked over, here are nine must-do actions to take before you get behind the wheel and kick off your road-trip adventure!
#1 Car Maintenance Checks
Setting off on a long road trip comes with a certain amount of risks when it comes to your choice of transportation. Choosing a reliable vehicle that has recently been serviced or maintained is highly recommended, but it’s not essential. Even if your car hasn’t been professionally serviced by a mechanic in recent weeks, there are certain checks you can carry out by yourself, which may give you peace of mind that everything is in full working order.
Giving your tires a closer look to ensure there are no noticeable cracks or lumps in them is always a good idea. Tires are very susceptible to wear and tear, so you should always try and keep a spare in your trunk just in case you suffer a puncture along the way. As well as checking your tires, you should also make sure that your brakes are free from wear and tear, and that all of your lights are in full working order. Check your signal lights, fog lights, taillights and headlights and you’ll be good to go for your long journey ahead.
#2 Get to Know Your Destination
This may sound like an obvious point, but do you know where you’re actually going and what you’re going to do when you arrive at your destination? Familiarizing yourself with the area is highly recommended, especially if it’s a completely new state or city that you’ve never been to before. Make sure you know what hotel you’re heading to, where you’re going to park, and any places that you can pick up some essentials when you get there. It may be part of the excitement to explore a new area once you have arrived, but you also need to make sure you’re well-informed and safe at the same time too. Conducting some basic research will help you to feel confident as you arrive at your chosen location so that you can continue the fun as soon as possible!
#3 Research Roadside Assistance Just In Case
When you’re heading to a brand new area, you need to stay well-informed of the services and facilities available to you just in case you run into any car trouble. Any issues with your vehicle along the way may put a stop to your adventure and set you back on your timeline. You may want to look into nearby roadside assistance, so that you can get in touch with a professional if you run into any trouble whilst you’re on the road. Whether your car needs towing, or you need some help changing a tire, you can feel completely prepared and informed of what services are available near you.
#4 Fill Up Your Tank With Gas and Your Top Up Oil and Water
It goes without saying that your car needs a full tank of gas before you set off on your trip. Hitting the road with a full tank will not only make your journey much smoother, but it will also put your mind at ease that you can get a good run done initially. Make sure you check your oil and water levels too, as these are essential components for a smooth and safe trip.
#5 Map Out Your Route and Plan Rest Time
Resting on long car journeys is essential, so make sure you have a plan in place to take a nap, switch drivers and stock up on food whenever you can.
#6 Make Sure You’ve Got Car Insurance
In the unlikely event of a car accident, you will need to be fully covered by car insurance. You never know what is going to happen, so make sure you’re covered to drive in all of the areas you’re planning on visiting.
#7 Give Your Car a Thorough Clean
When you take the time to make sure your car is thoroughly clean, everything else on your road trip will feel like a breeze! Driving a clean and shiny car is much more enjoyable, and it’s also much safer too. When you have your car cleaned just before a road trip it prevents any unnecessary dirt and debris from traveling into the car structure or engine. Stay on top of cleaning your car and you’ll have an even more enjoyable journey.
#8 Set Your Road Trip Budget
It’s no secret that vacations are expensive these days, so going on a road trip is a surefire way to minimize your costs and make sure you’re getting the most out of your trip. Setting a road trip budget and splitting the costs with your fellow passengers is always a good idea. This will not only give you peace of mind that you’re not overspending on your trip, but it will also make it fair to everyone across the group. Make sure everyone chips in for gas, food and other essential supplies for your road trip so that the costs are spread out evenly.
#9 Load Your Car Strategically
One of the main advantages of going on a road trip, is that you can pack as much stuff as you like and make the most of the space in your vehicle. However, it is also just as important to pack your car strategically and safely. Make sure you can see out of your rearview window and load any heavy items at the bottom of the trunk. Tightly pack your car so that there aren’t any loose items rattling around, which may cause breakages or loud noises during your journey. Similarly, make sure that all of your passengers have access to a seatbelt and are comfortably seated for the entire duration of the journey.
Organizing all of the logistics of your road trip may seem like a big undertaking, but it is so important for your own wellbeing and the safety of your passengers too. All of these steps will also help you to feel more prepared as the time grows closer. Whether you’re setting your road trip budget, or you’re looking into potential roadside assistance in the area you’re hoping to visit, there are so many things you can do ahead of time to make sure you’re as prepared as can be. So, if you’ve got a road trip coming home, take a moment to consider all of the following thoughts and ideas and you will be able to set off feeling well-informed, prepared and full of excitement as you hit the road very soon!
