4 Tips to Improve Your Next Road Trip
Taking a road trip is one of the most connective activities you can do. It connects you with the scenery on the side of the road. It forces you to connect with your instincts and preparation skills when you run into problems hundreds of miles from home.
However, there are a lot of stresses that pop into your head when preparing for a road trip. Breakdowns, accidents, and other unforseen circumstances are all issues for those driving long distances.
This also means you would need to think about insurance. Getting car insurance for a week is an option if you are taking a quick trip in a vehicle you don’t usually drive. You could also take turns driving with friends if you are going in a group and you worry fatigue will set in.
We’ll cover these scenarios and a few others which will help you have the best road trip of your life.
#1 – Plan for the Unexpected
There’s a lot more that goes into a road trip than you would originally think. When compared to air travel, there are a lot more problems that can arise on the way to your destination when you go in a car. Even though you may think this makes driving more of a hassle than flying, having the chance to experience beautiful roads is irreplaceable.
Many people choose to take the longest trip they can because they want to enjoy the open road and the nature they encounter on the journey. You need to understand, though, the longer the drive lasts, the more problems that can crop up unexpectedly.
You can’t plan for everything that could occur, but it helps if you make a checklist before your trip so you can plan for what will happen before it takes place. If you are traveling to a place with lots of snow and adverse weather, make sure your car is equipped with chains. Take a vehicle that does better in the elements.
Bring plenty of emergency supplies in case you are stranded on the side of a snowy pass. This can include flashlights, canned food, lots of water, and batteries for any device that may need to be used to call the authorities. Prepping for a trip doesn’t have to be depressing. Think of it as your ticket to a great adventure that is free of danger and worries.
Bring video games, cards, or other entertainment to amuse you if you are waiting for a tow truck or a friend to come to pick you up after your vehicle breaks down on the highway. It may not be the vacation you wanted, but at least you won’t be twiddling your thumbs and thinking about how much the road trip went astray.
#2 – Understand Your Vehicle
One of the worst things you can do on a road trip is to take a vehicle that is ill-prepared for the trip. You may love your old sports car from the 1960s, but it probably isn’t ready to drive thousands of miles from Washington state to North Carolina.
This is where the idea to rent a vehicle comes into play. If you know how long you’re going to be on vacation, rent a car just for the occasion. It should be reliable and able to traverse the terrain that will be featured on the highways you are going on.
You may be wondering whether you can just purchase rental coverage instead, but one-week coverage is often cheaper because companies charge on a daily basis.
You may not get rental coverage that lasts for the short period you need it. This means you would be taking out more insurance than you need. This is when it might be better to borrow a car from a friend or wait to go on the trip until you have a vehicle with long-term coverage.
#3 – Learn About the Roads You Will Travel on
Learning about the roads you are going to be traveling on will allow you to make better decisions about what vehicle you will be taking on the trip. If you’re going to be traveling on dry pavement in Arizona, you don’t need the four-wheel-drive capability you would need in mountainous snow in Colorado.
Learn about the shortcuts. This may lead to more visually amazing backgrounds and less traffic. This makes your road trip less dangerous and more pleasing from an entertainment perspective. Nobody expects you to know everything about a foreign state. Educating yourself on some of the key roads and surroundings is the smart thing to do, though.
Decide how many highways and interstates you will be taking compared to side roads. The former gives you a better option if you are unfamiliar with an area, but road trips are all about the little details. Freeways don’t really give you that bit of extra fun.
#4 – Have Some Fun and Be Flexible
Having fun is overlooked by many cranky drivers on a road trip. The drive is more important sometimes than the destination. This means you need to embrace all of the possible outcomes that go with hitting the backroads and getting lost and then found.
Go with somebody or a large group of people so you can lean on each other in frustrating moments. Call somebody on the phone when you are lonely if you go by yourself. Whatever type of companionship you bring with you, nature is always by your side.
Positive attitudes are sure to be the best antidote for any negative event that occurs on your trip. Stay safe and have fun. If it doesn’t sound like the unique struggles of road trips are for you, then find a different type of travel method so you don’t ruin your vacation.
Think about using an airplane or a train ride if you are not used to the preparation that goes into road trips. You know what makes you happy, so don’t hesitate to choose the proper method of transportation for your family trip, not the method you think others would approve of.