It is hard to deny that the attraction of the road is irresistible and almost indestructible. It is richer to travel the country one inch at a while than it is to climb into a canister and reach your destination. Whether you take trailers, motorcycle pop ups, or recreational vehicles (RVs), here are the things that you need to consider to get the most out of your road trip experience.
Plan Your Trip
Before embarking on a road trip, you should make a rough plan. This includes where you want to go, what important stops you want to make, and what cities or national parks you want to visit. However, don’t plan too much. Many things can go wrong on a road trip, both good and bad. You might be distracted by forest fires or meet friendly locals who offer to kayak with you. If you plan everything, you can’t be flexible if something happens. It’s much easier to have fun when there’s room for both good and bad luck.
Check Your Vehicle
Your vehicle, whether it’s a car, motorcycle or scooter, trailer/scooter, buggy, or monster truck, is the most important part of your road trip. You will go through small towns and garages when your car breaks down. Check everything thoroughly before you leave. Always have a spare tire in the trunk. Also, make sure all tires have the correct air pressure and tread. Be sure to top off all fluids, such as oil, coolant, and windshield washer. Also, make sure the lights are working. This also applies if you are renting a car.
Check the vehicle and make sure it does not have any defects for it can bring hinderance. Also, check for any previous and would-be damage since it is not a good idea to take responsibility for existing dents. In other words, make sure your vehicle is in order.
Bring the Essentials
There’s no concrete list of essentials to bring on a road trip. You can take whatever you want depending on your preference and needs. But on the other hand, here are some of the essentials you shouldn’t forget.
Spare Car Key. It is common to lost keys while on a road trip but it is likely the worse thing you don’t want to happen. Just imagine what horrible the possible consequences are and the long delay it would cause.
Water and Snacks. These are the basic essentials that should not be stripped on any traveling list. As you go on a road trip, you need time to stop and eat other than fast food. To make the long drive more bearable, stock up on snacks and water that you like to bring. When you arrive at your destination, you should have a proper meal.
Cash. It is still the most important thing. You should have enough money for tolls and some bills if you need it for unexpected road services.
Trash bag. Road trips lead to messy cars. If you have a trash bag with you, it’s much easier to clean up after your trip.
Car Phone Charger. Your smartphone will play an important role during your trip. You can use it to browse, play music, book your accommodation, and even show it off on Instagram. Make sure you charge it with a cable that plugs into your car. This is, of course, not applicable for motorcycles.
Sunglasses. This is often overlooked but it is still essential. Driving when you can’t see is difficult and some polarized sunglasses are advisable.
Decide How Far to Drive
The most important decision you need to make for your road trip is how many miles you want to drive. You will spend a lot of time driving if you want to cover 3,000 miles in 10 days. If you drive 1,500 miles in two weeks, you will have plenty of time to explore. Your limits may be different. You can go longer if you stay on the highway or share the driving. If you drive over mountain passes or on roads that require concentration, six hours can feel like a long day. No matter how long the trip, it’s best to get up early and finish early.
For long road trips, it would be wise to start before the sun goes down and finish your trip before it gets dark. Nighttime travel is more dangerous and it is better to be precautious at the same time.