Picture this: you’re in a car with your best friends (or family!) listening to your favorite songs, while watching the cityscape pass by right outside your window. That’s what road trips are all about: good times and good vibes! But things can easily turn awry without proper road trip prep, so keep scrolling for some tips and tricks to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Here are five hacks you must know for a successful and fun road trip:
1. Make sure your vehicle is good for long-distance travel
An adventure awaits, but first, you need a car! Credits to Martin Kallur on Unsplash
How can you go on a road trip without a car? The first thing to consider when planning a road trip is your vehicle, whether it be a car or a van. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically working well and is prepared for long-distance travel. Have your oil and tire pressure checked, ensure that your battery, brakes and engine are working properly, and think about investing in a spare-tire kit to have on-hand. For extra assurance, you can also pack an emergency car kit of essentials, such as a battery charger, jumper cables, and flares or reflectors.
If you don’t think your vehicle is up for the trip or are road tripping out of town, you can easily book a car rental on Klook!
2. Plan your stops ahead of time
Make sure you stop to take in the scenery. Credits to Hannah Gullixson on Unsplash
There are usually plenty of sights to see while you’re on the road, especially if you’re going on a road trip in the USA where each state has something new to offer. Before your trip, we recommend checking out a map for stops you want to make along the way. Road trip planner apps are convenient ways to plot out stops for attractions, restaurants, restrooms, grocery stores, gas stations, rest stops, and hotels, and more!
3. Pack wisely
A good rule of thumb: pack as much you can carry! Credits to Josiah Weiss on Unsplash
Although there’s no weight limit to your luggage on road trips, there is limited space, depending on the size of your vehicle. You won’t have to pack light, but you should pack strategically. Ensure that there’s space for all of your essential items and that these are easily accessible, so you can grab them without unloading the rest of your luggage whenever you have to make a stop! Load in your extra items first and leave the essentials last on top. If you have cargo loaded onto your rooftop or attached to your exterior, make sure these are securely strapped onto your vehicle to prevent loss, damage, and accidents.
4. Keep your essentials on-hand
Make sure your must-haves are always next to you! Credits to Dean Pugh on Unsplash
Rest stops and convenience stores sometimes aren’t immediately available, which is why it’s really important that your must-haves are on-hand. These necessities include medicine, water, wet wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, snacks, cash, and other items, depending on your destination. For example, if you're going on a road trip in Canada, where there are a lot of outdoor sights and experiences, you might want to have a jacket and comfy shoes readily available whenever you want to make a stop. Road trips can feel long, so it’s best to make the trip easier on yourself and your party with the convenience of your essentials!
5. Don’t forget to take breaks
As the saying goes, it’s more about the journey than the destination. Credits to Balkan Campers on Unsplash
To avoid feeling bored or restless on road trips, especially during road trips in Europe where they can take weeks, we recommend breaking the journey up into smaller, more manageable trips! It’s important to take breaks to let the driver rest and let everyone stretch their legs every once in a while by stopping to see attractions and taking bathroom breaks.
Feeling a sudden urge to go on a road trip now? Plan your trip, itinerary, and essentials to go on an adventure as soon as possible!
