There’s something so liberating about hitting the road for an adventure on wheels. As such, it’s no wonder road trips are becoming increasingly popular among modern travelers; however, before they let their excitement get ahead of them, there are several factors to take into account in order to ensure a smooth journey – some of which the following top road trip tips will cover.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Your vehicle will be your home away from home, so you need to make sure it’s in prime shape. Make sure everything is in working order, and get any repairs done at least a month before your trip. That way, you’ll avoid any last-minute rushing in the days before you depart, not to mention you’ll reduce the chance of anything breaking while out on the road.
Don’t forget to check:
- Tire pressure
- Spare tire
- Belts, caps, filters, and hoses
- Brakes
- Lights, signals, wiper blades, and the windshield wiper fluid
- Coolant
- Oil
Pack Everything You Need
For a successful road trip, you’ll need to ensure you have packed everything you might need. This isn’t merely the basics, like comfortable clothing and appropriate driving shoes; it’s also a number of other essentials you may not have even thought about, such as:
- Blankets and pillows
- Maps
- Tire chains for traction if you’re driving in the winter
- Matches
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Tool kit and cutting tools
- Puncture repair kit
- Jump cables and flares
- First aid kit
Consider the Weather
For safety, you’ll need to take the weather into account. If you’re driving in the winter, you must be careful when using the roads, as they can become icy. On the other hand, driving in summer can also be hazardous. Extreme heat can pose health risks to you and any passengers or pets in the car, so you’ll need to ensure your air conditioning is working and perhaps consider driving later in the day to avoid the intense sun.
Plus, if you want to skip the daytime heat, why not consider traveling at night? You’ll even get to soak up some breathtaking night sky aesthetic on your road trip! Still, if you do drive after dark, don’t forget to use your lights and never drive when you’re too tired; driving while sleepy can result in an accident very quickly.
Be Smart with Gas
The most expensive part of your road trip will probably be gas. With fuel prices on the rise, there’s no doubt you’ll want to save on gas to get more miles for your buck. Fortunately, there are several ways to save money on gas, such as:
- Have proper tire pressure: ensuring your tires are pressurized to the manufacturer’s maximum limit helps your car run more smoothly, therefore easing fuel consumption
- Slow your acceleration: if you’re going from zero to 60 mph, slowing your acceleration time to 15 seconds can allow you to save around 30% on gas mileage
- Maintain moderate speeds: keeping pace at a reasonable speed uses far less fuel than constantly changing speeds and going too fast
- Keep windows closed at high speeds: open windows can reduce gas mileage by up to 10%
- Put your car in neutral at long traffic lights or standstills: cooling down your automatic transmission in this way can save fuel
- Remove excess weight: the more weight your car is carrying, the more gas it consumes, so get rid of anything you don’t need
- Buy gas at the coolest time of the day: Gas becomes denser when it’s cooler, meaning you get more for your dollars.
