Road trips are an excellent way to see a country and create lasting memories. Popular options among travelers include staying in funky motels along Route 66 in the States, driving around the Balkans, or admiring the eerie landscape of New Zealand's North Island from the seat of a campervan. After choosing the route of choice, there are a few other things you'll need to consider for a successful road trip. Here are the top ten.
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Road Trip Tips
1. Good Company
This is a factor that can make or break a road trip. You'll need to be with people with the same travel style as yourself - whether that be a car full of type A's or the most easy-going folk you've met. So, choose your company wisely. If worst comes to worst, go on your own! There's a reason solo travel hasn't gone out of style.
2. A Reliable Vehicle
The second most important thing to consider is your mode of transport. If you're renting a car, you must ensure everyone can drive it. You don't want to rent a manual only to discover that no one else can drive a stick.
You'll also want to ensure everyone in the car can legally drive it. It may seem like a good idea to agree to a two-week road trip around Ireland with you driving, as you're the only passenger over 25. In reality, it'll be exhausting. Yes, I speak from experience.
If you're driving your own or a friend's car, get it properly checked out by a mechanic before hitting the road. Make sure at least one traveler has some basic knowledge of car maintenance, just in case you need to change the oil or replace a tire at some point in your trip.
3. A Playlist
Sometimes, you'll run out of things to talk about or refuse to play yet another game of "I Spy." You'll want a kick-butt playlist to fall back on in these moments. Make sure that it's songs that everyone in the car can agree upon.
If one of your travel companions is into heavy metal music, it wouldn't be fair to subject them to Beyonce's Lemonade album in its entirety. And if you can't find a playlist you agree on, it should be the driver's choice of tunes. It's only fair.
4. Snacks
You'll probably be driving for long periods without stopping, so it's a good idea to have snacks to fall back on if anyone gets peckish. Make sure to buy a few healthier options, like nuts and fruits. Sitting in a car seat for eight hours a day doesn't do much to burn body fat.
5. Sufficient Hydration
As with food, opportunities to drink water may be few and far between. It is best to pack a few bottles of water, or even better, fill up a jerry can with water before you go to cut down on plastic waste.
6. A Map
Here's an opportunity to ditch Google Maps for a few days and hone a rapidly dying skill - map-reading. You should be able to pick up a road map at any gas station, which you can refer to for the trip duration. Bonus - it makes a pretty good souvenir for when you reach your destination.
7. A Sense of Direction
You won't have much luck with that map unless you have a sense of direction to pair with it! If you have no set timeframe for your trip, occasionally following your gut can be fun. This could lead you to the most surprising places.
8. Enough Cash for Gas and Food
Although many of us live in cashless societies these days, this isn't the case for many countries worldwide. As the places you'll be stopping along the road will be most unpredictable, make sure that you have a reasonable amount of cash for emergencies, such as if you're close to running out of, such as when only a service station around doesn't take a card.
9. First-Aid Kit
It's best to be ready for every and any situation that may arise on your journey. Be sure to bring a basic first aid kit. Pack in paracetamol, ibuprofen, bandages, insect repellant, and motion sickness pills, just in case.
10. Sweaters and Swimsuit
If you're covering a long distance on your trip, you should probably prepare for all kinds of weather. Bring a sweater or a jacket to prepare for sudden nighttime temperature drops, even in the middle of summer. Remember to pack a swimsuit in case you happen upon an attractive body of water, particularly if you're road-tripping in Australia or on the West Coast of the United States.
