Road trips are lots of fun, especially with your best friends. Exploring new places, being spontaneous, and having new adventures is the best part of road-tripping! But if you want to go on a road trip, your safety matters just as much as the fun you and your friends will have together. Here are six tips for a safe, fun, and memorable road trip:
- Make sure your vehicle is safe before you leave.
No matter whether you road-trip in a car, a van, or a rental, it’s important to make sure that your vehicle can survive on the road. If you take your own car, make sure to get it serviced before you leave, and if you plan on using a rental, be sure to ask about service dates. Check your car’s tire pressure, oil and tread, wiper blades, and fluid levels before you hit the road because your safety is crucial.
- Focus on the road when you drive on your road trip
If you’re driving and you and your friends want to make it to your destination in one piece, concentrate on the road. After all, drivers who fail to notice motorcycles, bicyclists, and other cars cause most vehicular accidents. To avoid becoming a statistic, set aside any potential distractions. Don’t use your phone behind the wheel, and don’t eat or drink anything while you drive. It may be tempting to check your messages or snack in the car, but if you need to do anything that could distract you, pull over or find a rest stop. You’ll also be more able to spot drivers who are under the influence so that you can avoid them on the road.
- Bring car repair tools on your road trip.
Flat tires and other car mishaps are common during road trips. Therefore, you should always have a spare tire with you whenever you go on a road trip. Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere is no fun!
Of course, having the right tools for repairs is useless if you don’t know how to do the repairs, so read up on fix-ups you might need to know before you leave on your trip. If you don’t have a roadside assistance membership, it’s especially important that you know how to change a tire and look out for other car problems. Make sure that someone on the road trip knows their car mechanics, and you’ll have a much happier trip.
- Take regular breaks.
If you’re road-tripping, set aside time for stops. This will give your driver plenty of time to refresh before the next leg of the trip. After all, a tired driver can’t drive safely! Taking breaks will also allow you to switch drivers if you want to take turns and give everyone space to move and stretch their legs after spending hours cooped up in the car.
Taking breaks can also be fun, especially if you choose to stop at tourist destinations at every stretch of your road trip. You just may make some of your favorite road trip memories when you’re on a “driving break!”
- Keep your phone on.
Charge your phone before you start driving on each day of your road trip. Charging up beforehand or having a portable charger available can help you keep your battery full and your access to help close by. You’ll have a far better road trip experience if you can read your map the entire time and make emergency calls if you need to.
Of course, if your phone’s charged, you can have more fun too. Post your favorite pictures on social media, use Wi-fi hotspots to download new songs, and find a fun audiobook you can listen to for the rest of the trip.
- Have enough money on you for emergencies.
When you first plan your road trip, set a travel budget for gas, food, hotel stays, and emergencies. Make sure that instead of just bringing a credit or debit card, you also bring plenty of cash to last for your whole trip. That way, you’ll have enough for everyday expenses — and maybe a few souvenirs too!
Road trips are a great time with friends, but it’s also important to have all of your ducks in a row before you head out. With these tips, you can keep yourself safe on the road and more importantly, have the time of your life too!
Photo by Richard Jaimes on Unsplash
Just need true friends who will be together with you. Everything is oke.