Tips for Long Road Trips: How to Have the Best Time on Long Drives

There's nothing like a good old classic road trip; the shades are on, the window fully down as the high breeze hits you in the face, and your favorite bangers are blaring through the speakers. What's not to love?

However, road trips can take a toll on drivers if they're not fully prepared for the journey between the exhaustion of being behind the wheel for countless hours and choosing an appropriate route.

If you have a long road trip planned soon, use some of these tips to get you prepared before you set off.

Plan Out Your Route Properly

You should always know your route before heading on a road trip. This helps you plan your arrival at the final destination and allows you to plan any stops you might want to make, like certain attractions or a city you might want to see.

Using a mobile application like Google Maps can help you decide which route to take. It even allows you to choose a road where you can skip tolls if you're on a budget, and you can see which roads have the most gas stations in case you need to stop to refuel.

Determine a Budget

• Road trips cost money, so you'll need to have a budget set aside for any costs you think you'll need for the journey. Some of the things you'll need money for include:

• Fuel

• Food and drink

• Tolls

• Accommodation if you're staying somewhere overnight

• Parking

• A side fund in case an emergency happens like a flat tire or a breakdown

Get the Car Ready

The vehicle you're taking on the road should be in pristine condition beforehand so it can handle all the miles you're about to rack up.

You'll want to inspect your tires to ensure they have enough air to last the trip. Even if you notice they're slightly flat, it's best to top them up so you don't run into any issues throughout the drive.

Be sure to check your fluids, like your windscreen washer, so you're protected in case it starts raining. Also, don't forget to top up your oil if it's looking low.

Pack Plenty of Food and Water

As a driver, you don't want to keep stopping and starting for food and water stops. Packing everything you need in the car before you set off is an easy way to avoid this.

If you're going to be driving for the entire day, you'll want to have a good variety of nutritious snacks that will keep you energized, like fruits, protein bars, popcorn, and nuts. 

You can never have enough water, so be sure to pack as much as possible, at least a couple of liters. 

Don't Be Afraid to Take Some Breaks

We get it; you want to get to where you're going as quickly as possible, but breaks are an important part of a road trip. They act as a little pick-me-up for the driver, giving you the chance to stretch and walk around if needed. Sitting down for extended periods of time isn't good for anyone; it can damage your back, and you could cause an accident if you're not careful.

You don't have to take lots of breaks, but rather just one or two depending on the distance you're driving. 

Remember, if you're feeling somewhat tired or your eyes are starting to shut, pull over immediately, have a short 20-minute nap, and have a coffee. No journey is worth risking your life for.

Always Fill Your Tank When You Get a Chance

This one depends on the route you're taking. You're fine if your road trip will be mainly through cities and residential areas where you know there will be plenty of gas stations. However, if you're going to be on highways for hours on end or out in the countryside, you don't know when you'll come across another gas station, so filling up when you get the chance is essential.

Carrying out a quick check of the route through Google Maps will give you a good idea of the number of gas stations on your route anyway.

Download Some Good Music and Podcasts

Entertainment is crucial to a good road trip, whether it's your favorite ACDC songs or the latest podcast you're currently listening to. 

If you have Spotify Premium, you can use the download feature there to store all your best-loved tracks and podcasts. Another fantastic option is to download some audiobooks with a platform like Audible, so you have something to keep you occupied for your time behind the wheel.

Don't Try to Squeeze Too Many Miles In

Slow and steady wins the race; you'll get there when you get there, you don't need to rush. 

Setting yourself a daily limit on the amount of miles you'll cover is a good way to set boundaries. You want to enjoy the drive, not be racing around driving too fast and putting everyone's lives at risk. 

If you have a couple of stops you want to make on a certain day, factor them into your time limit and ensure you don't go over it.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Driving for long distances puts you at greater risk of breaking down, so having an emergency kit will be a lifesaver if it happens to you. Some of the things you can pack in yours include:

• A spare tire

• A tow rope

• Jump leads

• Extra food and water

• An emergency triangle and flare

• High visibility vest

• Gloves

• A phone charger

• Extra cash and a bank card

You're Ready to Hit the Road!

Road trips are exciting adventures that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. However, they should be planned carefully because things can go wrong on them, and when they do, they go very wrong. 

Don't let that discourage you, though. Once you stick to the pointers in this guide, you're guaranteed to have a safe and enjoyable journey.