Preparations Not Enough People Are Making For Road Trips
Road trips are awesome. There’s no doubt about that. Combining a sense of freedom with a fun that’s more emergent and spontaneous than any other kind of holiday. However, they can go wrong. They can end up costing you money and even endangering you. So here are a few things you need to make sure you prepare before you set off.
The places you’ll go
We all know that exploring and finding cool stuff along the way is a big part of any real road trip. However, that doesn’t just mean you pick a direction and head off in it. For one, you will really want to know whether you’re in the area of any gas stations or food stops. You also won’t want to get lost. That’s why you should choose one main route to start heading out. Perhaps some key destinations. This way, you can deviate from time to time but always have a safe bet for return to.
The contacts you’ll need
Sure, a lot of us go on road trips to get away from people and enjoy a bit of quiet with our company. You shouldn’t expect to be cut off entirely from the world, though. You’re still going to need some contacts when you’re out there. Keeping the numbers of local mechanics if you have any auto trouble, for example. Attorneys like Sean Park Law and your insurance company in case you end up getting into a collision or accident. It’s best to keep someone from back home informed, as well. They’ll want to know you’re doing okay.
The kit you have in it
Every car should have an emergency kit, but that’s not always the case. On a road trip, it’s more important than ever. You need a spare phone, fully charged and shut off. This is to be able to get to those contacts mentioned above if all other phones are dead. There’s also a need for things like high-visibility jackets and reflective markers to keep your car visible if it breaks down. Of course, you’ll need a lot of regular road trip gear, too. Changes of clothes that fit the climate you’re travelling to. Spare food. Camping gear. All the good stuff.
The car you take
Taking a good look at the car you take, yourself, is just as important. You want to have a thorough maintenance check done on it before you go, for one. Just to lessen the risk of finding yourself breaking down halfway on your journey. That is if you even plan on taking your own car. The rental industry is offering a lot better cars these days. It can add a bit of novelty for the driver(s). It also gives you a bit of peace of mind as to getting miles and wear on your own car.
Having a great, safe road trip is about expecting the best but preparing for the worst. Having the plans to get yourself out of all kinds of tight spots. Otherwise, you might end up stranded or even paying thousands.