5 Tips for Planning the Perfect Road Trip
Are you interested in going on a road trip anytime soon? It wasn’t that long ago that the thought of doing so would have been virtually impossible since COVID-related lockdowns and stay-at-home orders kept people at home most of the time. Vacations just weren’t an option.
But things are opening up now, even though the coronavirus is still a concern, so you might want to get away for a while. You don’t have to pay a lot of money, get on a plane, and travel to a distant country to have a great time. A road trip is a viable option worth considering. But how do you plan one? Keep on reading to learn more about planning a fun road trip.
1. Figure Out Where You Want to Go
If you want to go on a road trip, you must decide on the destination. Do you want to visit someplace in state, out of state, or across the border into Canada or Mexico? If you’ve never gone on a road trip before, you might want to pick a destination that’s not too far from your residence. Save the longer road trips for when you gain more experience.
But once you decide where you’re headed, book your accommodations. You’ll want to put some thought into where you stay. Traveling to a place you haven’t been to before and then finding that you’re residing at a crummy hotel won’t make for a pleasantly memorable trip.
2. Decide Which Route You’ll Take
It’s also essential to figure out the route you’ll take. Do you want to get there quickly or do you want to make stops and enjoy the trip? Depending on how you answer, you’ll want to arrange your route to meet your requirements.
It’s a good idea to plan things so that you can enjoy the journey. But the choice is yours. When you do head out, ensure you choose a reasonable time of the day to avoid heavy traffic if possible. The journey should be part of the fun. But ensure you plan where you’ll take breaks to use the washroom, get something to eat, or get out of the vehicle to stretch.
3. Decide What Vehicle You’ll Use
You can’t go on a road trip without a reliable vehicle. Doing so is simply asking for problems. Do you have a vehicle suitable for a road trip? Before answering that question, you’ll need to consider how far you’re going, the road conditions, and space requirements for passengers and luggage.
If you don’t have a suitable vehicle, you can rent one or possibly even borrow one. But ensure you do get the right car so that you can enjoy your road trip excursion. Getting something too big or too small may compromise your enjoyment of the journey.
One thing to keep in mind is the importance of getting your vehicle tuned up should you plan to use your vehicle for the road trip. If there’s anything wrong with your car, make an appointment to see your mechanic.
4. Bring Everything You’ll Need
Failing to prepare properly will cause you some headaches. So, ensure you pack and load everything you’ll need. If you’re traveling with kids, ensure you have things to keep them occupied. Is anyone who’s going on the road trip in need of medication? Take it with you. Well ahead of the trip, you might want to write up a list of what to bring so you don’t forget anything.
5. Prepare for Emergencies
Getting your car tuned up is a good idea. But you should also bring a phone with a charger, an emergency kit in the trunk, your AAA card if you’re a member, a tire repair kit, a tire pressure gauge and air compressor, and anything else you can think of.
If the unthinkable happens and you get into an accident, you’ll want to report the incident to the authorities. And if there are any injuries, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who’ll be able to advise you. While you won’t want to think about the possibility of a vehicular mishap on your road trip, it’s best to hope for the best while preparing in the event of worst-case scenarios.
The good news is that if you plan and exercise caution, the chances are good that you’ll enjoy a great road trip full of excitement and free from any serious issues.