Trips are always a great way to spend your weekends and holidays! Especially with friends, family and loved ones. But of course, what other way to elevate a road trip than keeping it safe?
Although road trips are fun and exciting, they’re more prone to incidents since you’re on the road most of the time and away from essential establishments like hospitals, gasoline stations and many more.
So before your trip out on the road, make sure to keep it safe by having everything you need and also following these tips below:
1 – Check your vehicle before you head out
Before hitting the road, make sure to check your vehicle! It’s ideal to go on a road trip using a vehicle in good condition to avoid any accidents or fumbles along the way. Get your oil changed (if you haven’t in the past 3 to 4 months), and check your tires, brakes, lights, fluids and battery.
2 – Have a route planned out
If you’re heading to a place you’ve never travelled to before, it’s a good idea to plan a route. This is to make sure you don’t end up in the middle of nowhere, passing sketchy roads and even hitting a dead end.
So plan a route ahead of time and while doing so consider the weather, road conditions and rest stops (for gas, snacks & potty needs.) Also, consider sharing your itinerary with someone you trust. Let them know your route, expected stops and estimated time of arrival.
3 – Pack supplies!
You’re going to be on the road for HOURS, so might as well pack essential supplies you might need. To help you out, we made a checklist you can use to remember what to pack for supplies before you leave for the trip:
- Water & tumblers – Make sure to have water! Also, consider bringing a tumbler, you’ll be able to get it refilled during rest stops.
- Snacks – You might get hungry or simply want to munch on something while you’re on the road. So consider packing some snacks like chips, crackers, biscuits, sandwiches and so on.
- Daily medication – You might be on the road longer than usual so it’s best to pack your daily medication.
- Candies – To simply make your trip a delight, pack some candies! This is great to keep drivers from sleeping while driving and also when someone gets nauseous.
4 – Have an emergency kit
Since you’re going to be travelling long distances, there are chances you might be far from a clinic or hospital when an accident occurs. So always pack an emergency kit and keep it in your car for other trips as well.
Make sure your kit includes a first aid kit, basic tools, jumper cables, a spare tire, an extra gallon of water, a flashlight and a change of clothes (optional.)
5 – Stay the night
During long trips, drivers can get pretty sleepy which usually leads to accidents, since they sometimes accidentally get a shut-eye. So if you’ve been travelling for 8 to 12 hours straight, it’s ideal to stay the night somewhere.
You can opt for affordable accommodation for a night or even for a quick nap. Avoid sleeping in your vehicle since this comes with so many risks. So look for a nearby inn, motel, homestay, or serviced apartment and even book an Airbnb in the next town.
6 – Make to always check your gas
When driving, always check to see if you’re running low or have enough gas. Before you leave for your tips, gas your tank up in full, especially if you’re travelling to remote areas where gasoline stations are hard to find.
You can even plan out gas-ups during your rest stops. Just make sure you’re not running on “E” on a highway. A tip, Try having extra gas with you if your route has little to no gas stations.
Take away
Never forget that your safety should come first while travelling by car. You can guarantee a safe trip and improve your entire travel experience by using these safety measures. Each one has its own main purpose so consider taking each one into great consideration. So have fun on your next trip and remember to stay safe!