Road Trip Tips
First time road tripping? We’ve all been there! It can be a little daunting going on a roadie especially if you’re in a different country with a whole different set of rules. But being on the open road can be such an enriching experience, taking a slower pace to explore small towns, see local sights (some overshadowed because of nearby popular tourist destinations), connect with nature and find hidden gems. Here’s a few tips I’ve learned from my many trips on the road!
1. Research & Plan
First things first - where are you going? Will you be camping or staying in hotels? Is this a get lost and find your way trip? Or are you out taking in must-see destinations everyday?
It’s best if everyone gets a clear idea of how the road trip is going to go. Personally I find planning my route around major locations like national parks, towns or landmarks, seeing the must-sees and then dedicating the rest of the day exploring and driving around these location the best way for me to travel. Another thing to consider are the driving rules for the places you visit. Are they different from where you’ve driven? Are the road rules something you’ve read about and are aware of? Researching is the best way to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
Quick Tip:
Save locations on Google Map to visualise your trip! Click on a location and scroll right until you see the ‘Save’ button. Create a new list for your road trip and save all your locations.
2. Tune up the Car
It’s best to head out with a car that’s prepared for the adventure. You wouldn’t want to break down in the middle of nowhere or have to pay an exorbitant amount for a repair that would have been much cheaper at home! Oil change, headlights and brake lights in working order and windshield wiper fluids refilled are standard car issues that may need to be looked at before you embark.
3. Budgeting
It’s important to make a road trip budget. Take account the essentials like food, hotel stays and gas but also for fun things like souvenirs or experiences like tours and activities. Remember to set aside some funds for emergencies, just in case!
Quick Tip:
For road tripping with friends, use the app Settle Up. The app keeps track of expenses, settles how much each owes for shared expenses and syncs with each member of the group so everyone can see them - no more disputes over bills and receipt keeping!
4. Book your stays in advance
Booking your accommodations before departing helps your road trip be a little cheaper but also guarantees you have a place to sleep every night. If you prefer, you can choose to sleep in your car or go camping but either way having a rough plan of where you can stay each night definitely makes for a smoother road trip!
Quick Tip:
All around the world, there are spots where you can camp for free! In Canada I use the app FreeRoam and in New Zealand CamperMate. Usually these apps have filters that show whether it’s paid or unpaid, what facilities are accessed and even reviews! As for hotels or stays, both AirBnb and Booking.com are great apps to use - Booking.com also has a loyalty program the more you book with them, earning up to 20% off stays.
5. Sleep well and eat light
(at least during the day)
It’s dangerous driving tired and extra full. When you’re exhausted, driving becomes tedious and you can lose focus on the road, not to mention accidentally nodding off and potentially causing a crash! The same goes with eating - blood redirects from all throughout your body to your digestive system, causing a system wide slow down.
A high calorie meals also trigger high glucose levels, and high glucose levels cause the release of tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. And we all know that is very dangerous. Instead opt for meals that will get you through and snack throughout the day if you need to!
6. Download the maps, apps, podcasts and music you need
Reception can be limited on road trips. Even on main roads and popular tourist spots, finding both wifi or data connection may prove to be tricky. Prepare for the worst by downloading all you need before you even hit the road. Downloading offline Google Maps, your favourite music playlists and a few podcasts for variety will save you time (and stress!) on the road.
7. Keep the car organised
One tip I find really handy for organising your car is to have sections. Maybe a box or a crate to hold loose items (especially if you are camping) and assigning areas of your car to different needs - one side to hold kitchen and camping equipment, the other side holding food and cooler boxes and the trunk of the car holding the suitcase for clothing and linen etc. for easy access.
Keeping your car clean will also really help make your road trip much more enjoyable. You will be raking up a lot of rubbish being on the road so make sure you dispose of it properly and as soon as you can.
Quick Tip:
Assign a rubbish bag and a constant space for it in the car. Put all your trash into it as soon as you can. Having all your rubbish in one bag can make it a lot easier when disposing and save you time having to rummage all the pockets of your vehicle to collect them.
8. Prepare for emergencies
You don’t want to risk it on the open road! Make sure you’ve got a spare tire, first aid kit and booked roadside assistance - just in case. Preparing yourself for the worst and unexpected circumstances is absolutely critical for road trips. Do not leave home without them!
9. Pack snacks, water and on-the-go easy meals
This seems like an obvious tip but it’s a good reminder! Make sure you’ve got food and water no matter where you are as it can be tricky finding it in the middle of nowhere. You can also find yourself in situations where they don’t serve your dietary requirements or you run out of cash and they don’t take credit card — it could happen! Pack a food bag with all the essentials you need and a cooler jug to keep your water nice and cold during the day!
10. Do trust the locals
Don't be afraid to chat. Locals know the best spots! Plus most locals give travelers a warm welcome. You’ve found something beautiful enough to travel through their town/area, they would be just as much interested in you as you are them.
Another tip is to support the local community - this can be by joining tours hosted by local guides, purchasing handmade goods/art/food and paying for passes that enable them to maintain the land. It’s important to give back and respect the people whose land you are travelling on.
Hope these tips have been useful for you in planning your road trip! Now go out there and enjoy the open road! xM