We love road trips, they are fun and exhilarating. We get the chance to meet new people, delve into new places, or perhaps do a bit of soul searching. Now that spring is here, this is a great time to plan ahead for an upcoming road adventure. Just remember, preparation is vital to a hassle-free and safe drive. Do your prep work right, so that you can be more confident and enjoy the road with your RV.
Whether you’re driving to the countryside, the beach, or the mountain, exploring the world will always be amazing through road trips. Before you venture out on a journey, check out these road trips that will help you down the road.
Plan Ahead Accordingly
Put tons of effort in planning and organizing your trip, so that you’ll have a safe and good time. While a spontaneous excursion can be exciting, you might want to save that after you already have some planned ones, first. It’s better if you know ahead where you want to go. Apart from having today’s staple—GPS system—on your phone, go old school as well. Have a map with complete directions outlined, too. GPS is not perfect, so it’s best you have these 2 methods handy.
Also, try to check if there are road constructions on the route you’re planning to take so you can go for an alternative route. If you’re looking for space to temporarily store your items, do a “self storage near me” search on Google. Look for one that offers what you need and suits your preference.
Check With Your Mechanic
Regardless if you just recently bought new tires or just had an oil change, it’s important to consult with your mechanic if your car is travel-worthy. There might be some unforeseeable circumstance that nor you or your mechanic can predict. At least, you can remove some apparent issues. This includes important car elements though, such as tires. You might also want to get your vehicle fitted with new interior accessories, such as weatherproof floor mats, dash mats, car seat covers, and boot liners. Make your car as comfortable as it can be if you’re going on a long road trip to make the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
Get Enough Sleep Prior Driving
It’s important to have at least 7 hours of sleep for 2 nights straight before the big journey to amplify your energy. It’s also ideal to start in the morning after a decent amount of sleep, not after an exhausting work day. To maintain alertness and stay fresh, take regular breaks en route, ideally every 2 hours or every 100 miles. Avoid driving between 1 and 3 PM, since during this time your body temperature is lower, making you feel naturally drowsy.
Go for Healthy Snacks
Snacks are a road trip necessity, it won’t be complete without them. So, when bringing snacks, make sure you go for healthy ones. With this type of snack, you can survive throughout the lengthy trip, while skipping fast-food places. Carrots and almonds are great munchies to keep you alert.
Drink Water!
When heading for long trips, keep your water supply abundant so that everyone, particularly kids, stays energized all throughout. This also supports the immune system since you and your passenger(s) will be exposed to different types of germs. Plus, riding in an air-conditioned vehicle all day long can cause dehydration, too. Make sure the water source is accessible, like having a water jug or small water bottles. Stop every couple hours for toilet breaks.
Stop to Rest
For long drives, make sure to plan your rest stops. It is important to get out of the vehicle and stretch those muscles every 3 hours, and get some fresh air. This minimizes the possibility of getting tired easily behind the wheel. Fatigue can negatively impact your concentration while driving which can potentially lead to road accidents.
Observe Proper Posture When Driving
Before you head out to drive, ensure your seat is correctly adjusted for your body so that you will have better control over your car. In case the airbag goes off, you’ll less likely get injured. Also, there will be better blind spot visibility for you, and you will be less exhausted on long trips. As for back pains, these steps can help you find your ideal driving position as per your body type.
- Rear position — push the seat cushion forward and backwards, making yourself a gap of 60 – 100mm between the seat’s edge and your knees. Then change your seat angle.
- Leg position — sit comfortably and place your back securely against the rear with shoulders at the top. Adjust your seat back and forth with the pedals pushed down, until you find the length ideal for you. Make sure your knees are not locked into place, this can be very dangerous in case of a car crash, causing the knees to break.
- Shoulder and back position — once your legs are in place, check your shoulders. Tilt the seat back and forth, so you can reach the steering wheel easily without locking your arms out. Your shoulders should sit comfortably when you turn the steering wheel.
Car Insurance is a Must
Your car insurance is a vital protection not only for your car, but also your financial liability. In case you get into a road accident but your car isn’t secured, you’ll be stuck paying a huge sum of money for injuries and damages. You can’t, as well, obtain accident benefit claims. So, car insurance is a must for every driver.
The more prepared you are the more enjoyable your road trip will be. Whether driving for a bus charter in Mississauga or driving privately in your own car, keep these tips in mind for a more safe driving with you and your passengers.
