When you see the open road stretching out before you, do you see an opportunity or a challenge? A road trip is a bit of both. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a quick weekend getaway. Both are great, as long as you plan your trip accordingly.
With this in mind, here’s the right way to plan a road trip to remember.
The Route
You can’t have a road trip without a route. This is where the planning starts and it should inform the whole adventure.
Decide early on whether you want a quick road trip or an epic adventure. A quick road trip is less risky for sure, and you can still see some wonderful sights without getting too cabin-sick.
In any case, it’s a good idea to plan your journey so you know where you’re going and, ideally, when you get to certain locations. This includes planning stop points to walk around, take in the sights, eat, and potentially sleep.
The Passengers
The passengers can make or break your journey. Ideally, stick to people who are likely to enjoy themselves. This means that carsick people might be better for a different kind of holiday.
Think about who will get along well together. It’s great to have a lot of friends, but you can only realistically take about three people with you. You should also consider who can drive, so you can switch drivers for comfort and rest.
The Vehicle
The car you choose needs to be roomy and comfortable. Different vehicles are better for different situations. While you could use someone’s vehicle, it might be best to rent a car.
For example, if you want to be able to sleep comfortably in the car or at camp sites, consider contacting a motorhome rental company. This will make sure everyone has plenty of space and you don’t have to worry about hotels.
This also means you can split the costs more fairly, so one person doesn’t have to put fuel or maintenance costs onto their vehicle.
Make sure the car is also stocked up with snacks, plenty of water, and an emergency kit.
The Backup Plan
Nobody wants to plan for anything to go wrong, but it’s always best to have a backup plan. This applies to everything.
When thinking about the route, consider other routes that are nearby and can either get you home quickly or to the same destination points. This way, closed roads and traffic won’t be the end of the world.
Some passengers might have to drop out at short notice, so could you get someone else in the vehicle before you leave? A backup guest or two is always a good idea, just in case.
Finally, your ideal vehicle might not be available or it might even break down. This doesn’t have to be the end of the world if you have a contingency plan. Make sure that you’re covered for breakdown rescue so that you can get back to safety if you need to.
