Whether you prefer to jet off to white sand beaches and crystal blue oceans in the Bahamas or explore the depths of forests in Scotland, COVID-19 has likely impacted many of your travel plans. However, with vaccines rolling out successfully across the world, travel is once again on the cards. And, how better to return to a life of adventure than with a fun road trip?
On a road trip, you are truly in the driving seat for your entire vacation. This means you get to decide exactly where you go and when. Furthermore, road trips are currently one of the safer modes of travel, as you don’t even have to travel overseas to visit new places – they’re also much more budget-friendly than you’d imagine. But, you must still ensure that you plan the trip properly if you want it to be a success.
Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some top tips for planning a long road trip!
- Get your car in good order. Whether you drive the latest sports car or took the time to find the perfect family vehicle, the first step towards planning a successful road trip is ensuring your car is in good order. For example, you should ensure that there is no sign of damage that could leave you broken down in the middle of nowhere. You may also want to consider some ways in which you can make the experience more comfortable for yourself and your passengers. For example, you could install a window tint that provides them with extra UVA and UVB protection while keeping the car cool. If you are travelling abroad for your road trip, you should arrange to hire a car as soon as possible.
- Choose your destination(s). One of the benefits of heading out on a road trip is that you don’t have to settle for just one holiday destination – you can visit as many as you like during your trip! For example, you can visit big cities, small towns and even coastal areas – providing you plan your route carefully. If you aren’t sure where to get started, don’t worry, there are plenty of guides online that talk you through the best road trips.
- Plan your route. Once you’ve got a general idea of the places you want to visit during your trip, it’s time to plan your route. While you may want to do this with a traditional map, there are also plenty of road trip planners that can do the hard work for you – you simply have to write down a list of the places you’d like to visit, and they will figure out the most logical route.
- Make time for rest and luxury. By now, you probably have a clear idea in mind of the fun activites you want to do on vacation; you should also make sure you set aside plenty of time for rest and relaxation. For example, you might want to book yourself into a spa midway through your trip so that you have a chance to unwind. Furthermore, you should also ensure that you do not spend too much time behind the wheel (i.e. don’t drive when you’re tired, even if this puts you a little behind schedule).
Book some hotel stays for along the way. Traditionally, during road trips, many adventurers will choose to sleep in their car/RV or pull up outside whatever motel they can find that evening. After all, this is one of the easiest ways to fully embrace the spontaneity of a road trip – as you never know quite where you will end up. However, if you’re heading out on a road trip, you’re sure to crave a bit of luxury from time to time. As a result, you should also book in for the occasional hotel stay on your travels, where you’ll be able to enjoy luxury amenities or simply catch up on some much-needed sleep. For example, if you are in the area, you could check out some stunning galapagos hotels to make an unforgettable rest-stop at. Here, not only can you take a break from behind the wheel, but you’ll also be able to enjoy delicious food and drink or take a dip in the pool. This is a great way to refresh yourself for the rest of your travels – and make memories while you’re at it.