Road trips are an excellent way to see a country and create lasting memories. Popular options include staying in funky motels along Route 66 in the States, driving around the Balkans, or exploring the eerie landscape of New Zealand's North Island from a campervan. After choosing your route, consider a few other things for a successful road trip. Here are the top ten.
For a coastal road trip, consider spending several nights in one place rather than changing accommodation every day. If your route includes the Outer Banks, compare North Carolina Outer Banks vacation rentals by location, minimum stay, and total cost before planning your overnight stops.
Road Trip Tips
1. Good Company
This factor can make or break a road trip. Travel with people who share your travel style, whether that's 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 solo! Solo travel hasn't gone out of style for a reason.
2. A Reliable Vehicle
The second most important thing to consider is how you'll get around. If you're renting a car, make sure everyone can drive it. You don't want to rent a manual and then discover no one else can drive a stick.
Also, make sure 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, have a mechanic properly check it out before hitting the road. Make sure at least one traveler has some basic knowledge of car maintenance in case you need to change the oil or replace a tire during your trip.
It's also worth reviewing your insurance coverage and comparing affordable car insurance options before you set off, so you're prepared for unexpected situations along the way.
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 it's songs everyone in the car can agree on.
If one of your travel companions is into heavy metal music, it wouldn't be fair to subject them to Beyoncé's Lemonade album in its entirety. If you can't find a playlist you agree on, let the driver choose. 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 on hand if anyone gets peckish. Buy a few healthier options, like nuts and fruit. Sitting in a car seat for eight hours a day doesn't burn much body fat.
5. Sufficient Hydration
As with food, opportunities to drink water may be few and far between. Pack a few bottles of water, or better yet, fill a jerry can 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 and use it for the trip. 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 pair it with a sense of direction! 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, that isn't true in many countries worldwide. As the places you'll be stopping along the road will be unpredictable, make sure that you have a reasonable amount of cash for emergencies, such as if you're close to running out, or if the only service station around doesn't take a card.
9. First-Aid Kit
Be ready for any situation that may arise on your journey. Bring a basic first aid kit. Pack in paracetamol, ibuprofen, bandages, insect repellent, 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 jacket for sudden nighttime temperature drops, even in the middle of summer.
Remember to pack a swimsuit in case you come across an attractive body of water, especially if you're road-tripping in Australia or on the West Coast of the United States.
