One of the most exciting plans to look forward to is going on a road trip with your family or friends for an extended period. It’s one of those times where the journey is just as much fun as the destination. But traveling hundreds of miles for hours on the interstate does leave a lot of room for mishaps, and one can never be too prepared.
Here are the things you need to consider to make your joyride stress-free.
Agree Upon An Itinerary
Unless you have an unlimited supply of money no date limit, being spontaneous can lead to more harm than good. It’s the thing of high school movie friendships and young unadulterated love, but in the real world, it’s mandatory to have a nice solid plan to follow.
Plan out all your stops, and if you can, book your nightly accommodation in advance. Bring an actual map in case your GPS stops working. It would also be good to allow for some freedom in your schedule in case you’d want to make a short detour or stay a little while longer on one of your stops. As long as everyone agrees, there wouldn’t be a problem here.
Complete The Pre-Trip Vehicle Checklist
The first thing on the list is to check if your vehicle is in good shape. You could hope that there are plenty of mechanic shops in New Orleans or the asphalt maintenance in Salt Lake City is up to date, but there’s no harm in being prepared.
Change the engine oil and all the other fluids if needed, and stock up on refillable. Examine the pressure of your tires and don’t forget to bring a spare. You might even want to bring a satellite phone in case you get stranded in the middle of nowhere. Also, have a stash of extra cash reserved only for emergencies.
The Daily Essentials
If you don’t own a cooler, it would be an extremely good investment. You’d have access to fresh nutritious food like sandwiches and fruits, as you might have a hard time finding healthy food on the road. Not to mention that ice is a valuable commodity if you’re traversing the desert states.
A large supply of water is also mandatory. Water can get unnecessarily expensive in stores. If you’re with friends, bring your alcohol (don’t drink and drive) to reduce your costs. Finally, bring a whole pack of toilet paper and thank yourself later.
Prioritize Activities That Are Worth Your While
It’s not every day you can step away from your responsibilities at home for a while, so you’d want to use this time to create new experiences. See the types of places you rarely see and skip the tourist attractions. Even a solitary spot where you can watch the sunset over a valley can be more meaningful than having dinner at a popular and crowded restaurant.
Talk to the locals. They would know more about a place than any article online. Novel adventures often come with small price tags too. It could make your trip significantly worth the cost a whole lot more fulfilling.
Going on a road trip with your family or friend are a fun adventure. But always prepare before you hit the road to avoid inconveniences that can spoil your trip.
