Living in the 21st century means rushing all around, even during a vacation. People tend to cut down on traveling by car to their holiday destination just so they could take a plane and get there quickly, and that’s a big mistake. When you’re travelling by car, you get to see so many things and stop at totally unexpected, beautiful places. Seize the day by going on a road trip this year and have a blast by following a few very useful tips!
Find the right travelling companion
Once you decide to go on a road trip, one of the first thing you should think about is who are you going to invite to come with you? You have to keep in mind that you will be on the road for days and therefore, you should invite someone who likes similar things as you do. The last thing you want is to have somebody whining about the weather, music, food, sun, wind and every other possible little thing you can think of!
Don’t rush
It’s vacation time. There are no deadlines to fulfill and therefore, you should relax and drive at normal speed. There are many benefits to it – first of all, you will avoid getting involved or, Heaven forbid, causing a car crash. Second, if you decide to drive like a maniac, you will spend more gas than you planned to. That’s a particularly bad decision if you are driving through the area where there isn’t much of civilization. It could take hours before somebody stops and refuels your car or before you reach the nearest gas station on your feet.
Bring some cash
Credit cards are easier and, quite often, safer to bring on the trip. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should always bring a bit of cash with you. First of all, you will need money for all the tolls, and it may surprise you how high their amounts can be. Make sure you also have some coins and banknotes of the currencies of the land you are travelling through – that way you will save yourself costs of money exchange and avoid risks of not being able to pay for gas or coffee with your own currency. Second of all, those devices for credit cards can often be unavailable and you will have no choice except to pay with cash.
Music
Whenever you reach the next city, let alone another country, you will have a problem with your radio, simply because local radio stations’ signals come and go with every turn of your wheels. That’s why you should prepare a CD or USB with your own playlist. In case you don’t know which songs to put there, why not check out some of the best road trip songs ever? Roll down the windows and sing your lungs out!
Travel safe
Depending on your destination, road conditions and the number of people travelling with you, you’ll have to have an appropriate car for that adventure. If you’re planning a longer road trip that may take for a few weeks or months, it would be wise that you consider buying a new car. That always takes time and can be quite stressful, but it wasn’t for me because I decided to sell my car for cash via Carbiz online platform! All you have to do is to fill in the online form and leave the rest to a team of experts.
Eat light food
Your body needs fuel just like your car does. However, if you want to drive for at least a few hours more that day, then try to avoid big meals. High calories food will raise your glucose levels and release an amino acid tryptophan that will make you sleepy. Also, once you eat a lot, your body system will slow down and that can affect your reflexes. Bring some light food with you to eat during the driving hours and once you decide to stop for the night, give yourself a break and eat as much as you want to!
Avoid roaming costs
Mobile phones became something like an extension of a human hand. It’s good to have it while you are on the road trip because you never know what may happen that you’ll have to call for help. However, if you’re travelling across another country for days, it would be wise to buy a local mobile operator SIM card. That way, you won’t be in roaming, hence you’ll save yourself from spending a fortune on phone costs. Just don’t forget to check whether your mobile phone is unlocked and can accept another SIM card!
Clean your car all the time
It’s almost certain that you are starting a road trip in a clean car, but it’s of utmost importance that you clean it every day. That means that you have to throw away food leftovers, dirty napkins, empty bottles, coffee paper cups and everything else every single day. Stopped at a gas station? Take a garbage bag out of your car. Stopped in a motel overnight? Perfect opportunity to get rid of all the junk! In case you don’t do it, your car may start to smell like a skunk’s den.
Be spontaneous
It’s great to have a plan for your journey, but sometimes you should let your hair down and make some of the best memories by taking a slight detour. Yes, you’ve read it correctly! Next time you see a sign that says: “Sweetest cherries on the world – no worms!”, stop, give your tasting buds a treat and carry on. Next time you buy cherries in your own town, you will always grin when you remember that humorous sign beside the road!
The most important thing is that you have lots of fun on a road trip. Take many photos, write down all the experiences of the day behind you, try some local cuisine and talk to people. Every road trip enriches human soul so it’s time that you start that engine and go for an adventure!
