A few smart moves that make all the difference, especially on a long drive.
Road trips offer something unique, a freedom to stop wherever we want, to travel at our own pace, to discover new places and routes and to live in the moment. However, for everything to run smoothly, a little preparation in advance is needed.
Whether youre traveling with friends or with family, the right planning will save you from stress and surprises. Weve gathered five smart things you should do -apart from check the oil- before your next road trip, so you can savor every moment of the journey.
Prepare a small first-aid kit
On a long journey the first-aid kit is essential and very important. If youre traveling with children the need is even greater, as you wont always have the chance to quickly find an open pharmacy on the highway. Put together a pouch with everything that will spare you major hassle, both during the journey and during your stay at the destination. Dont forget painkillers, adhesive bandages and gauze, hemostatic cotton, antiseptic and rubbing alcohol, antihistamines, ointment for bites, anti-diarrheals and motion sickness medicine. If you take any daily medication, be sure to take it with you.
Bring along food and drinks
On a road trip, besides good music and great company, food is essential too. Prepare properly with plenty of snacks for the drive, as well as insulated bottles that keep water at a good temperature. If youre traveling with children, food is of great importance because its never enough. Moreover, its not always feasible to make stops to buy food items, which most likely wont be healthy or economical. For kids -and adults- you can opt for filling choices that dont need refrigeration, such as peanut butter or tahini toast, sandwiches, bananas, cookies, cake and bars. In some cases you might need a small cooler with ice packs to keep them cold.
Dont forget the essential gadgets
Electronic devices are essential on every trip. Prepare a bag in advance where youll keep all your gadgets together, so youre prepared and not searching for them. Dont forget your chargers, a phone mount for the car (so you can see the GPS) and your laptop or tablet. Even if you have a car charger, a portable charger is essential, especially if there are many passengers in the car. Its also good to have a power strip with you, which will be a lifesaver in many cases if there arent many outlets at the accommodation where youll be staying.
Plan your stops
Stops are essential on every long journey and are part of the experience. Plan in advance where you want to stop for food, coffee or a restroom. Additionally, you can step a little off your route if you have time to discover a new place, a city or a picturesque village. Choose local food options, where youll discover new flavors, instead of the overrated fast food on the road (which may not actually be tasty). Every time you stop, take the opportunity for a restroom break, even if its not an immediate need.
Create playlists
Music is a key part of the travel experience. You cant rely solely on the radio, because it doesnt get reception throughout the entire route, or you may not find a local station you like. Create playlists before you leave, to avoid searching while driving. Make sure you also have offline options, in case you might not have signal along the way. However, sometimes its enough to simply find a musical backdrop for your conversations. After all, a road trip is the perfect excuse to connect and chat a little more with your fellow travelers.
