If you are in the process of planning your next trip away then you could be planning an awesome road trip. Road trips can be something different and it might be on your bucket list, just to experience it once in your life. If you have never been on a road trip then you may not know what sort of things you need to plan. The list below will give you more info and tips on how to pull off the most awesome, epic road trip.
Destinations
One of the first things you need to do when planning a road trip is know which destinations you want to visit, or drive through as the case may be. There are so many road trips all around the world so decide which ones you want to tick off your list. Some of the more famous ones include Route 66 in the USA which is famous for its quirky sites, The Ring Road in Iceland which circles the whole country, and The Romantic Road in Germany which is famous for its castles. Whatever your interests are, try and incorporate them into your trip.
Time You Have
You will need to figure out how much time you will be away for. The typical time to be away on a road trip is usually two to three weeks. However, it can be as long or as short as you need it to be. If you need to book time off work, then this should be done way in advance so you can get it approved in time.
Budget Available
Something else you will need to work out is the type of budget you are playing with. Without much money, you won’t be able to pull off a good road trip. You will need money for food, fuel, and accommodation. You will also need to ensure you have money set aside for various activities and adventures while you are away. You might need to save up for this road trip like many others need to save for their vacations.
Vehicle You’re Taking
You will need to decide which type of vehicle you are taking with you on your road trip. If you want to take your own car then you need to make sure it’s safe to do so. You also need to consider the mileage your road trip will add to your own car. If you ever want to sell your car then the mileage matters. It might work out better to hire a car to take on your road trip, this way you won’t be adding to your mileage. There is another alternative that quite a lot of people prefer, that’s an RV. With an RV you have everything you need on site, a kitchen, bed, and seating area. The money you save on eateries and accommodation could be put towards other things.
Make It Roadworthy
If you are taking your own car then it is a good idea to get this serviced before you go. This way you can ensure it is safe to use on the road and you won’t suffer any breakdowns while you are in the middle of nowhere. If you inform the garage or mechanic that you are going to be using your car for a road trip then they will know exactly what to look for and how to make your car sage. It might be worth investing in four new tyres so you don’t put extra pressure on your existing ones.
There is one thing that every road trip needs, SNACKS! You might get peckish driving along and rather than stopping each time you could grab a bag of crisps or some veggie sticks. You might need to invest in a cool box for your vehicle as this will keep all drinks and snacks cool while you are out on the road.
If you are taking a car with you on your road trip then you may need to book various accommodations along the way. When you have a car, there is nowhere to sleep, unless of course it is just you on your road trip. Make sure you do your research and find the best places to get your head down. It can be tricky to book in advance as you will need to know days and timings for your booking. However, you might get lucky and not have to book.
Check Out Activities
When you are planning a road trip, you will want to do some things in different places. This could include checking out the waterfalls or heading out on a hike somewhere beautiful on one of your stops.
You may even decide that you want to head out exploring on your bike in scenic areas along the way. Getting out on your bike is a fantastic way to sight see, while also keeping up your fitness which many people lose track of on holiday. You can see far more on your bike than you can in your car, you just need to make sure you’re not going too far or tiring yourself out too much as you will need to get back in the car when you’re done. In terms of preparation and bringing your bike with you, if you take a bike rack from somewhere like VelociRAX then you will be able to do this without any hassle. This saves you the hassle of finding somewhere to hire a bike in each place, which will also save money.
Some activities may need to be booked in advance, for this to happen you will need to know where you are going to be on any given day. Make sure you put money aside in your budget for activities and adventures.
Something you need to remember is that you are away on a break. It is essential you don’t rush into anything and especially don’t rush through your trip. Take in each and every destination and attraction you come across. Make sure you know how long you want to spend in each place and ensure you get out if you are in the car for long periods. You can get various aches and pains when you are cramped in your car on the open road. You can make unscheduled stops if you need a five-minute wander to recharge.
Lastly, if you have pets at home then you may worry that you can’t take them with you. However, when you go on a road trip you can take anyone and anything you want, this includes your beloved pets. There are some wonderful routes that you can drive that include glorious places to take pets, such as dogs. They can roam around and explore so many places by your side, making memories with you rather than being left behind.
We hope you found this helpful and that it gave you some tips for planning your next road trip. Road trips can be fun and you can see things you wouldn’t normally get to see if you went anywhere else. Some things can only be accessed by road and must be seen to be believed.
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