5 Top Tips for Getting Ready for a Road Trip
This past weekend showed just how nice weather in the UK can be, (hands up who managed to get a little bit of sunburn) and if you are looking to head off into the sunset on a road trip at any point this year. Then here are a few top tips to make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the drive.
Make a Plan
You might not be completely sure where your road trip will take you, but having some sort of plan as to where you will stop for the night, fill up with petrol and grab a bite to eat is a must. After all, you don’t want to get caught short on the road feeling tired and hungry.
Check your vehicle over
Your car, van or motorcycle is going to be a key element in making this trip a success, so before you go away you want to give your transport a once over. Make sure your tires are within legal limits and fully inflated (don’t forget your spare), as well as your oil topped up, windscreen wash full and all your lights are working, to name just a few essential maintenance checks. After this, if needed, it is the perfect time to stock up on parts and spare oil, be they car or motorcycle parts, or even car or top motorcycle tires. Whatever you do, don’t let you get stranded on the road because of not performing maintenance checks.
Check your insurance
One thing I was reminded of lately is my roadside rescue will only take my car to the nearest garage after I broke down outside my parents. Now luckily I actually use the garage nearest them, as I used to live nearby. However, had I been further afield this definitely could have caused issues. So before you head away, make sure you know exactly what you are and are not covered for and change it accordingly.
Music, podcasts, audiobooks and tablets
You’re going to be on the road for a while, so making sure you have something to keep everyone entertained, such as good tunes for the driver and tablets with games and shows for the passengers are just a couple of ideas to keep at bay the “are we there yet” cries.
Don’t forget as well to think of some ways to stay active while you are on the road. Learning some yoga poses can be a great way to keep the body moving for instance.
Stay safe
As with any type of travel, always make sure you are safe. If the road doesn’t look like it’s been travelled in a while find a different route and always make sure someone knows where you are heading, in case anything major happens.
What is your top tip for getting ready for a road trip?
*This is a collaborative post.
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Checking your car over so it is road worthy is a good one. You don’t want to be breaking down 5 minutes in to the trip do you.
I have to admit we seem to have had car issues just before we head off places of late it isn’t fun.
Good tip on checking your car – we always do a quick once over with rentals too, just to make sure everything is OK.
It is one of your most important tools when travelling so I am with you, borrowed or brought always do it.
Great tips. I always check my car before travelling, especially tires and brakes. Better safe than sorry.
Most definitely, I’ve had my breaks go on me and it is scary (thankfully I was at my parents so it wasn’t too hard).
I like to get maps or directions ready before leving, even if I have some sort of gps. I also like to pack some drinks and snacks for the trip as well.
It is always good to have a backup map – I keep a map of the UK in my boot just in case the worst happens.
These are great tips! I always make sure with my driver to check the car regularly, whether we go to malls or get out of town. Make sure to have snacks too! Especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Yes there are those regular checks you should definitely do before you go anywhere in a car.
Thanks for these valuable pieces of advice. I always have my car thoroughly checked when I am heading out for a road trip. I also buy up some roadside assistance insurance to cover an unforseen situation. Notifying friends/relatives of your current location is also a wise thing to do.
It is most definitely a must to make sure you have insurance just in case the worst does happen.
I love road trips. The first thing we do is to check our vehicle first. The rest of your tips are helpful!
They can be great fun can’t they, I have to admit I love getting off and going away on holiday.
Great tips! Myself and my husband take a lot of road trips and it’s definitely handy to have a paper or book map. We learned this the hard way when we got lost for almost an hour with no phone signal or gps.
Oh no what a nightmare for you, I bet it was a bit unnerving for a while!
Great tips! I’d recommend having a paper map too. You never know when you’ll have a technology problem and be without your phone gps
So true, technology is great, but definitely worth not relying on it 100% of the time.
These are great travel tips. I also like to get paper maps so the kids can follow along and see exactly where we are going.
Aw that’s a great way to give them something to do as you travel as well!
These are great tips for a road trip! It’s definitely important to check the car to make sure everything is working right before spending lots of time on the road with it!
It is one of those musts isn’t it, but as it is so common to use it, it can be so easily forgotten.
We cannot go on a road trip without the phones and iPads charged and maybe a movie or two for the DVD player for the kids. Plus, my husband loads up on podcasts for us.
I am the same iphone and ipad must both be charged before we head off.
I agree that making a plan is such a good idea to get your road trip sorted. Especially if it is a long one x
These sounds like great tips, I’ll be sure to take them into account when we go travelling this summer.
I hope you have an amazing time wherever your travels take you this summer.
It is exactly my checklist before hitting the road. All these a important to have safe and an enjoyable journey.
Good to hear I covered most things 🙂 thank you.
I’ve never been on a proper road trip before, but there are some really useful tips here! Planning ahead is definitely the key! x
It really can make all the difference knowing what you are going to be doing.
These are great tips! We’ve done some really long road trips (the multi-day kind) and all of these things definitely make the trip more enjoyable and safer. 😉
Oh wow now that is a long road trip, living in the UK most things are within in a days drive (unless you go on abroad of course).
I always make a plan for traveling. Though never been on a road trip as don’t drive. Always wanted to do one with being a passenger though. They sound like such an adventure 🙂
I hope you manage to go on one, one day soon and have an amazing time 😀
I always will make sure that my car can handle the drive. I always like to fill up my car and a cooler with snacks.
I like your list. We always try to get the vehicles checked out before a long road trip just in case. I don’t think we’ll be doing any road trips this summer, but possibly the next!
Whenever your next one is – I hope you have a great time!
Road trips can really be a challenge when you’re with kids. Good planning is very important! I’m reading a book for kids about the 50 states that would be fun for kids to take on a road trip too!
That would be the ultimate road trip I think!
Great tips – also check for roadworks! This recently added an hour to our trip and if we had checked we could have avoided for sure! X
Yes that is so true, thankfully our satnav picks up on road maps and is updated in real time but of course if that fails..
Fab tips here. I always take music and lots of drinks with me when i do a road trip
When traveling with kids, bring LOTS of snacks and drinks. We never leave home without lots of drinks and snacks when going on a road trip.
All great tips Sarah. It’s always better spending a little time before you set off to make sure you are prepared for any eventuality. My own top tip is to always let someone you trust know where you are going and when you’ll be back…it doesn’t hurt sending a quick text or two to let them know you are safe and well either. x
Yes that is definitely a must, I always try and keep my parents up to date with where we are as we go.