8 Ways to Prepare for a Road Trip
- 1. Check Your Tires (and Bring a Spare)
- 2. Inspect Your Brakes
- 3. Consider an Oil Change
- 4. Test Your Lights
- 5. Get a Tune-Up
- 6. Check the Weather and Roads
- 7. Have Your Papers
- 8. Get Enough Rest, Food, and Water
What are good ways to prepare a road trip?
The Ten Best Ways To Prepare For An Epic Road Trip
- Check All Fluids And Bring Extra. Check your motor oil, check your coolant, check your brake fluid, check your gearbox and diff oil, check everything at home, rather than ...
- Bring A Toolkit. Check out our guide on assembling a stupidly basic toolkit for what you need.
- Music/Podcasts/Audiobooks. ...
- Get Two-Way Radios For Multi-Car Caravans. ...
What to do before a road trip?
Before you hit the road, make sure you've got the right level of roadside assistance in case you break down. If your cover doesn't include the right level of towing, it could be a costly trip. If your cover doesn't include the right level of towing, it could be a costly trip.
How do you prepare for a long road trip?
- Packing for a car trip. Pack light. ...
- Use multiple navigation tools to keep you on track. Navigation when you're on the road alone can be a bit of a challenge. ...
- Prepare your vehicle. Have your car tuned up and inspected at least a week before you leave. ...
How to prepare for a perfect road trip?
Top 10 Tips to Prepare for a Solo Road Trip
- Talk to the People Around You. ...
- Tell Someone Your Plans. ...
- Bring Your Four-Legged Friend. ...
- Prepare Backup Resources. ...
- Make Sure Your Ride Is Ready. ...
- Stock up on Food and Water. ...
- Pack an Emergency Kit. ...
- Don't Overdo It. ...
- Load up on Entertainment. ...
- Have a Little Fun. ...
Choose the Right Car for Your Road Trip
A lot of your travel experience depends on the car you choose. You want something that is spacious enough to fit all the people who are going on the trip, as well as the bags and other necessities that you’ll need.
Devise a Plan with Fellow Passengers
If you’re traveling alone, you don’t have to worry about this. But if you have company, you need to discuss a few things up front before hitting the road.
Decide on a Budget
Again, traveling with other adults requires you to plan things in advance. This is because you don’t want to be arguing on the road, do you?
Travel Light
Ideally, you should always be traveling light, but it is especially important during road trips. You have limited space and need to accommodate all the people and luggage within it. Therefore, there is no space for unnecessary items. Only pack things that you know would be used during the trips and some emergency first aid.
Carry Cash
You may be used to swiping your credit card everywhere, but it may not always be possible while you’re on a road trip. You may pass through small towns and remote regions where cards aren’t accepted, such as independent gas stations, small shops, or roadside food stands. So always have sufficient hard cash for these purposes.
What to bring on a road trip?
The passengers, however, might want some entertainment along the way. Portable DVD players with headphones, MP3 players, books, crossword puzzles, magazines, and travel journals are some excellent ideas for passing the time on a road trip.
How to plan a road trip?
1. Decide on a destination. It is a good idea to choose a destination that is not too far away for your first road trip. A road trip can span only one day. For example, choose a city a couple of hours away for your first road trip. You will enjoy a nice drive to your destination, spend some time in a new place, and drive back home all in one day. 2.
What do people like to do on road trips?
Many people who take road trips like to take the scenic route to their chosen destination. You can use a map or the internet to plan a route. Some drivers prefer to take a back roads rather than interstate highways when they go on road trips.
Why is it important to remember the drive?
It is important to remember that the drive is the most important part of a road trip. Don’t be in a rush. If there is something interesting you would like to stop and see, do so. It is all part of the experience.
How to prepare a vehicle for a summer road trip?
Here are some of the best ways to prepare a vehicle for a summer road trip. Tires are a primary wear and tear item of any automobile. Make sure to check inflation and for abnormal wear frequently. Getty.
What is the best way to keep your car from going off without a hitch?
Check Fluids. Maintaining a vehicle’s fluids is an essential step toward ensuring that a summer road trip goes off without a hitch. While motor oil is sometimes referred to as the lifeblood of an engine, modern vehicles use a variety of specialized fluids vital to your vehicle’s operation and longevity. Transmission fluid: Many new vehicles come ...
Why is extra care needed for tires?
Tires are the only part of a vehicle that are in direct contact with the road, so extra care is needed to ensure they are correctly inflated, display even treadwear, are free from any obvious defects and are of the size and type specified by the manufacturer. Key considerations for tire maintenance include:
Why do you need to inspect a tire?
Condition: Bulges, gouges, and other visually observable damage should be inspected by a professional to ensure that the tire’s structural integrity isn’t compromised. Even a minor impact from a pothole or curb can damage a tire. Visual cues, such as uneven tread wear and odd wear patterns on other parts of the tire are an indication that a checkup is overdue.
Why is it important to clean your car?
Driving a clean vehicle doesn’t just make for a more pleasant experience behind the wheel; it can add up to a fuel economy penalty if there is enough added weight. In addition to a full vacuum and exterior wash, make sure to remove all the excess baggage—athletic equipment, laundry and the rest of the daily detritus—to remove any extra weight. As a side bonus, it will clear room for luggage and other items required for the road trip. Plus, the psychological benefits of hitting the road in a clean, well-organized machine will make the trip even better.
Is planning a road trip fun?
Planning a road trip should be an enjoyable process, however, choosing destinations, booking hotels, planning activities can easily overwhelm even the most organized traveler. But with a little forethought, the results can be epic. That’s especially true during a global pandemic when America’s roadways are the most popular means of travel.
What to do when you drive a long way?
When you drive a long way, it’s much more enjoyable if you have some tasty road trip food and a nice place to stay at the end of it. Stay flexible with the social things to keep it exciting but don’t leave everything until the last minute.
How long should I drive to see a destination?
Generally speaking, I would keep driving to a maximum of 3.5 hours, as this gives plenty of time to enjoy the destinations. Below is a reasonable recommendation for total driving time, depending on how many days you have for your trip: Total driving 30 hours – 10-14-day road trip.
What websites can I use to book flights?
When booking flights, I usually use multiple price comparison websites before making a purchase. You can use Skyscanner, Kiwi, and Kayak.
Can I use World Nomads for travel insurance?
I use World Nomads for my travel insurance. You can buy online or whilst traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Do you need to prepare food for a road trip?
If you are traveling from home, you will need to prepare food to take with you. Check out our article on road trip food ideas to help you plan food and drink for your trip.
Can you use Google Maps to plan a road trip?
You can use Google Maps to plan a road trip with multiple stops and estimate the total driving time. Make sure you add 25% extra to the estimated time to account for traffic and frequent breaks.
Should I get a full service before a long road trip?
Before a long road trip, I would recommend getting a full service on your vehicle.
What to bring on a road trip?
One of the best things to bring on a road trip is a phone stand. If you’re using your phone for navigation you’ll need a car mount. Don’t rely on the passenger to hold the phone and give you turn-by-turn navigation.
What is the best way to prevent a car from turning into a pig stye?
Small Trash Can. One of those important road trip essentials is a small trash can. To prevent the car from turning into a pig stye, get a small travel trash can. The cheap and easy option is to carry some small trash bags.
Do you need a manual for a car?
It never hurts to have your car manual on you should a problem arise on your road trip. Most of us keep these stowed away in our glove box anyways. It’s not necessary, and if you’re handy, you likely don’t need a manual.
Do you need a deed to drive over the border?
If you have plans to drive over borders with your car, it’s a good idea to have the deed or certificate of ownership. Various documents could be necessary for your road trip packing list , but it all depends on where you’re driving. You may need certified permission to drive a vehicle over borders if in a rental or car not registered in your name.
Do you need a copy of your driver's license for a road trip?
This is an obvious one to have on your road trip checklist as it’s required by law pretty much everywhere in the world. In foreign countries, travel with paper copies of your driver’s license and important documents for emergencies. It’s best to have documents available and not packed in the luggage.
Is it necessary to have cold drinks on a road trip?
This is definitely a road trip essential as you’re going to want some cold drinks. After we load up the car, we throw in our favorite drinks and some ice.
Is it a good idea to check a spare tire?
The best option is to have a full-sized spare, granted that’s not always possible with some vehicles. It’s a good idea to check your spare tire before you begin a long road trip.
How to make sure your road trip is the best?
Preparing for Your Trip. To make sure your road trip is the best trip ever, you’ll need to put the legwork in before you even drive off the driveway. Check your Insurance: Before you take a road trip, review your insurance policy. If you’re lacking collision and other safety nets, now is as good a time as ever to invest in them.
Why is it important to pack essentials for a road trip?
During a road trip, it’s important to pack the essentials so you can be ready for every scenario that comes your way. You don’t want to be left stranded without a plan. Use this guide to make sure that you are prepared for any situation when driving cross country.
How to travel with a dog?
Practice Traveling with Your Dog – Before you set off on a dog-friendly road trip, take a test drive locally to make sure your dog is ready for a lengthy trip . Use a Dog Carry-on or Restraint Device – For your safety and your dog’s safety, it’s important to properly restrain your furry friend .
How much can you put in a car?
When you’re packing all your gear into the car, be careful not to overload the vehicle. Look up your car’s load capacity first and subtract the passengers’ weight. If the capacity is 800 pounds, and your family weighs a combined 425 pounds, don’t stuff more than 375 pounds of stuff in the car. Also:
What to eat when you're going 50 miles?
Healthy snacks (to keep you feeling good) Unhealthy snacks (a great reward for going the last 50 miles) A cooler (a powered cooler is even cooler) More water than you think you’ll need. Sunglasses. Prescription glasses/extra contacts and solution. Blanket and pillow.
How to maintain the center of gravity of a car?
Place heavier things on the bottom, and push them toward the front of the car to maintain the vehicle’s center of gravity.
What to do when driving long distances?
Learn to avoid boredom. Long drives usually mean moving across areas that you might not consider prime spots, which have no views or excitement to them. For times like these, having your favorite podcast, standup comedy, audio book, or up-beat music can really prove to be invaluable, by making those long miles go by a little faster.
What to check before packing up?
Before packing up, make one final check of the following: Tires condition. Check tires tread and look for signs of strain, bulges, or other damage. Tire pressure, don’t over inflate. Wipers and wiper fluid. When the rain falls, you don’t want to discover your wipers are useless.
What to do if something goes wrong with your car?
First, in case anything does go wrong with your vehicle, make sure you give a trip plan to someone trustworthy. Now, you can go to work on that car of yours.
What to do if your car is not functioning properly?
Don’t forget to engage with the driver. Talking can help keep the driver, engaged, motivated and awake as the hours add up. Know your limits and plan your trip around them.
How many miles can you drive in a day?
Know your limits and plan your trip around them. If the longest drive you have ever taken is 300 miles in a day, don’t plan a trip with a string of endless 500-mile days. Whether you are capable of riding 500 miles per day, or 1,000, the ability to make miles tends to decrease as the length of the trip increases.
What to do when your car passes muster?
Don’t forget to engage with the driver. Talking can help keep the driver, engaged, motivated and awake as the hours add up.
What to bring to a photo shoot?
If you’re taking photographs or videos, don’t forget those tiny, yet vitally important memory cards. Sunglasses. Bring a plastic funnel to add water or other fluids. Bring a water bucket in case you need to use a river or lake for emergency coolant. Always fill your gas tank when it is half full.
What to bring on a trip?
Everyone should make a list of items to bring on the trip -- things like magazines, books, DVDs if you're going to watch any, a sweatshirt in case it gets too cold in the car, etc.
What to use to clean a car for kids?
Grab a chamois towel & microfiber duster while you're there -- kids LOVE these things and won't mind helping to clean the car with cool tools!