Whether you’re planning on trying out the North Coast 500 or simply want to get behind the wheel and see where you end up, there’s a lot of fun to be had when heading out on a road trip.
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
This is because it’s the kind of holiday that you can customise depending on who sits in the passenger seat. If you’re history buffs, you can spend your time visiting different castles and historic monuments. If you’re travelling with kids, you can check out some of the country’s top family-friendly attractions!
However, while you may be keen to go with the flow, some planning is required – especially if you’re hoping to be on the road for some time. With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can follow to plan an unforgettable road trip.
Figure out your budget for your trip. While road trips are often considered to be more cost-effective than overseas trips, you should have an idea in mind of how much you’re able to spend ahead of time, taking into account everything you have to pay for along the way. This includes:
- Vehicle maintenance and running costs
- Accomodation
- Food and drink
- Activities and entrance fees
- Tolls
There are many ways in which you can work to stay within your budget. For example, instead of staying in overpriced hotels, you could look into other options, such as house sitting, air BNBS, or camping. However, you may find that you can get an affordable price for a hotel room by booking with the hotel directly as opposed to using a third-party site, which often adds additional fees to the total cost! As a general rule, booking as far in advance as possible also allows you to access the best prices – not only in terms of accommodation, but entrance fees and activities too!
Ensure your car is road-trip-worthy
Before you set out on your next great adventure, you should ensure that your car is road-trip-worthy. For example, you should examine your tyres for any signs of wear and tear or punctures. This way, you can reduce the chances of breaking down during your trip, cutting down on expenses and unnecessary stress. After all, your vacation should be relaxing, not a cause of additional stress or upset!
Get the right insurance
It goes without saying that you cannot get behind the wheel until you have the appropriate insurance. Not only is this a legal requirement, but it will also provide you with the appropriate coverage and support should something go wrong. However, finding a company that will provide you with the insurance coverage you need if you’ve encountered driving-related legal troubles in the past, such as drug driving charges, can be challenging.
Fortunately, this does not mean that a road trip is out of the question. Instead, you should reach out to companies that offer Trusted drug driving insurance coverage.
Know what to pack
Whether you intend to be on the road for two weeks or six, packing light is always recommended during your road trip. Otherwise, it means that you’ll be surrounded by bags and cases, making for a relatively uncomfortable journey from A to B.
If you’re someone who finds it difficult to pack light, try to check out the weather forecast in each of your destinations ahead of time. This way, you know exactly what to bring along with you, and you can avoid overpacking or bringing along items of clothing you won’t need. Packing clothes you can mix and match to make different outfits is also a great way to save space.
If you’re heading out on a longer trip, remember that you can always do laundry along the way if you need to.
Figure out your route ahead of time
One of the easiest ways to ensure that your road trip goes smoothly is to have a route in mind ahead of time. After all, this will help you to make the most of every single second you have available to you, as you can figure out the most convenient (or most scenic) route to take to each destination. This prevents you from driving back and forth unnecessarily and can help you to stay out of traffic, too!
On a similar note, you should try to divide driving responsibilities between yourself and other drivers in your party as evenly as possible. This can help to prevent stress and exhaustion, ensuring that you’re as safe as possible on the road.
If you’re using your phone as your GPS, be sure to bring a portable charger along for the ride. Otherwise, you run the risk of your phone running out of battery mid-trip, leaving you in a sticky situation, especially if you would not even know where to start when it comes to reading a map.
Always have snacks and water in your car
Heading out on a road trip often means spending several hours in your car when moving between different destinations. While you can take a break as often as necessary (making use of motorway services and so on), having water and snacks to hand is always recommended.
Put together a driving playlist
Putting together a driving playlist is also a great way to prepare for your trip. After all, this is a great way to keep yourself (and other passengers) entertained during long stretches of travel. If you’re on the lookout for something a little different to this, consider downloading some episodes of your favourite podcast instead.
In short, there are plenty of ways in which you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible when it comes to heading out on a long (and memorable) road trip. While this may take some time, the more prepared you are, the more fun you’ll be able to have along the way, as it will keep your stress levels as low as possible.
However, it’s important not to get too overwhelmed when things don’t go according to plan. Life is full of adventures, and sometimes, the best adventures begin by taking a wrong turn!
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