Taking a long car trip requires more than a full tank of gas and your best music playlist. By taking the time to plan ahead and keeping a few key things in mind, you can make your trip even smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Unforeseen issues like a late arrival time, lack of snacks, or navigation issues can quickly turn a fun road trip into an exhausting headache if not addressed before departure.
Let’s start as soon as possible.
Eight tips for a long car journey
1. Plan your route and check traffic conditions
Planning ahead is essential in everything we want to do. “He who fails to plan, plans to fail,” as the saying goes. Therefore, you need to plan your route before hitting the road. You can use Google Maps or Waze to check possible traffic conditions during your trip and determine the best route to take. This way, you will avoid getting stuck in long lines of traffic congestion that can quickly end your beautiful trip.
If your trip lasts several days, it is essential to arrange accommodation in a hotel or inn where you can spend the night. It is not advisable to drive for extended periods without taking breaks, so you should include rest stops in your itinerary.
2. Maintain your vehicle and check tire pressure, brakes and oil levels
This is a crucial thing to do when planning a car trip. Your vehicle should be in good condition before you even think about embarking on a long journey. Since there’s a good chance you’ll run into some mechanical problems along the way, it’s best to be proactive and make sure your vehicle is in top condition before you hit the road.
Here are the things you need to consider in your car:
- Check brakes and oil (engine coolant) levels.
- Check tire pressure and make sure all tires are in good condition.
- Make sure all necessary fluids (such as engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid) are filled.
- Replace any defective or worn parts that could cause problems down the road.
- Make sure the car lights and wipers are replaced with new ones.
Once you’ve made provisions for these, your car is ready.
3. Pack an emergency kit, including first aid supplies, a flashlight and jump ropes
For your safety and that of those accompanying you on the car journey, it is always good to come prepared for any emergency that may arise. This includes packing an emergency kit to take with you on your trip.
The emergency kit should include first aid supplies such as bandages, antiseptic cream or wipes, duct tape, gauze, and pain medication. Also, pack a flashlight in case of an emergency in the dark and jumper cables to help you start the car if it won’t.
You should include blankets, bottled water, non-perishable snacks and a fire extinguisher in your emergency kit.
4. Make sure you are covered by insurance
Also, it is vital to make sure that an auto insurance policy covers you. An auto insurance policy will help protect you from financial loss in the event of an accident or other damage to your car.
Also, it is imperative to review your insurance policy and make sure it covers the places you plan to drive. Some auto policies have limitations on where they cover you, so be sure to check before you go.
5. Plan rest breaks to avoid driver fatigue
As exciting as an extended attention trip can be, it can also be a nightmare after a long period of driving. This could cause you to fall asleep at the wheel, which could lead to an accident. Therefore, planning stops or breaks during the journey is crucial to avoid this.
You can take a break from your journey every two hours to stretch your legs, rest your eyes and eat a snack. This will help you stay fully focused and alert while driving, which is crucial for your safety.
6. Bring entertainment to keep you entertained
Long car journeys can be dull and boring if you have nothing to entertain you. So, bring along entertainment items like audiobooks, music, a portable DVD player for watching movies, and podcasts to keep you entertained while on the road.
You can also bring some snacks like chips, cookies, nuts, dried fruit and candy bars to munch on while listening to your favorite music or audiobook.
7. Bring necessary items and essentials
Don’t forget to pack all necessary and essential items for your trip.
Some of the essential items to bring include:
- Towels
- Toiletries
- clothing
- blankets
- Sleeping bag
- Pillows and other essential products
Also, bring an extra pair of shoes in case your main choice gets wet or muddy.
8. Get a Roadside Assistance Plan
It is essential to have a roadside assistance plan in place in case something goes wrong and you need help so that we can help you as soon as possible. Thanks to this, you don’t have to worry about getting lost in the wilderness without help.
Roadside assistance plans are available from your auto insurance company, or you can purchase one from an independent business focused on roadside assistance.
wrapping
There you have it: 8 essential things to consider before embarking on a long car journey. Keep all of these tips in mind and plan ahead if you’re planning a long road trip soon. While some people like to travel in a classic car, like the ones Dyler owns, others will prefer to drive something more modern. No matter what you choose, it’s important to stay happy and safe on the road.
