Road trips offer flexibility and the chance to see local attractions. Two planning methods include package travel and open-ended travel. Preparing for emergencies is crucial, and travelers should bring an emergency kit, first aid kit, and necessary medications. Comfort items like snacks and pillows are recommended, along with an atlas or road map and extra cash.
“Road trip!” The words evoke visions of an open highway, panoramas opening up before the driver, adventure, freedom. The reality is, while a road trip is far more flexible than taking a plane to the same destination, a certain amount of planning is required for it all to work.
A road trip usually involves several hours of driving, or days! — to a destination, then return. The bonus is that travelers can stop along the way to see various attractions and soak up some local flavor before moving on. It’s definitely a pleasant way to travel.
There are two basic ways to plan a road trip. The first is package travel, where travelers plan their route in advance, plan stops along the way, search for hotels in specific cities, and book in advance. An advantage of this method is that travelers know where they will be staying and don’t have to worry about getting a room. Some travelers may find scheduled stops a little too limiting. For these people, the open-ended method of planning a trip may be preferable.
For this type of road trip, travelers usually plot their route, but instead of planning stops, they stop at will, staying overnight wherever they are when they are too tired to drive further. The obvious downside to this method is finding a decent place to stay on short notice. However, some travelers swear by this method. And, if travelers don’t insist on staying in chain motels, they may be able to find a local place with a good price.
Travelers should always prepare for emergencies while traveling. This includes taking the car to a mechanic beforehand and having the oil changed and fluids checked and topped up. The mechanic should also check the tyres, balance and/or rotate them if necessary, check the spare tire and jack and look at all belts and hoses, replacing them if necessary. The traveler should also ask the mechanic to check the radiator cap for proper pressure when checking coolant levels.
A good road trip emergency kit for the car will include: two gallons of plain water, four gallons of oil, one gallon each of transmission and power steering fluid, one can of brake fluid, washer fluid, paper towels and a couple of rags. The traveler should also have a set of jump leads or a jump-starter in the trunk.
Travelers should also carry a standard first aid kit, available at discount stores and pharmacies. They should also take any prescription medications they will need for the duration of the trip as well as a list of any prescription medications they are on. If they have to make a trip to the emergency room, this information will be crucial. Travelers should also make sure they have their own car and health insurance cards, as well as a car charger for their cell phone.
Comfort is paramount on a road trip, so travelers may want to bring their favorite snacks, as well as a pillow for naptime and hotel use. Small soft coolers are readily available and a “blue ice” block will fit nicely inside to keep drinks cool. Finally, a traveler should always carry an atlas or road map and extra cash, along with a couple of dollars in change. Following these guidelines should help ensure a smooth trip.
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