Traveling used to be less complicated and glamorous. All you needed was a car, an exciting group of friends, and a destination in mind. There’s nothing like driving on a seemingly endless road with the music blasting while you and your friends sit back and enjoy the fresh air.
It’s true that some of the best vacations you’ll ever take come in the form of a road trip. However, the tricky part of pulling it off is that it’s possible to overlook the small things, which are often responsible for ruining your chances of a good time.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going on a cross-country drive or a quick daytime trip. There are four things you absolutely need to do to guarantee your fun and reduce the risks of encountering problems.
Use the Right Gear
Your choice of car is just the first of many important details you’ll have to pay attention to. Before you drive out of Salt Lake City at top speed, consider how well you and the rest of your gear will cope throughout the long drive.
Purchasing quality bed liners isn’t only about protecting your car. It will also allow you to keep anything you’re carrying–might it be a portable grill, a cooler, or gas containers–from getting damaged or slipping off the edge. You’ll also need to use the kind of cargo straps that suit the load you’re restraining and luggage for necessities that won’t wear when exposed to rain and sunlight.
While the gear you already have might survive the trip, they could end up compromising the lifespan of your food and other essentials. Whatever you choose to buy specifically for this trip, you can consider investments for future adventures. After all, it’s more likely that you’ll go on a road trip again if your first time was a success.
Look for Rest Stops
Rest stops are essential to road trips. Driving for hours can be exhausting, and planning the rest stops you’ll visit is a great way to maintain everybody’s enthusiasm throughout the journey. While there’s a chance you’ll change plans along the way, it’s good to look up your choices before your big adventure. This will allow you to decide meals ahead of time and determine the nearest restroom in case of an emergency.
When you’re on vacation with some of your best pals, it’s easy to get carried away with the junk food, after all. Preparing for emergencies by identifying rest stops might save you all from a terrible car stench and bad feelings.
Inform Your Bank
Your bank is always looking out for you. That means if they suddenly freeze your credit card when you attempt to use it far from home, they’re doing it to prevent fraud. Of course, it’s difficult to appreciate their efforts when there’s no crime to worry about. The best way to prevent this from happening is by informing your bank of where you’re going. Give your credit card company a list of the towns and cities in your itinerary. Doing so will make it easier for them to monitor for fraud and ensure that you can access your money at any time.
Get Gas Frequently
Complacency has no place in road trips, especially when there’s always the possibility of running out of gas. Is your tank still half full when you make it to the rest stop? Get gas anyway. Did you use the supply you’re carrying? Refill them the soonest you get the chance to. Road trips spent struggling to get reception so you can call for help shouldn’t be the highlight of your vacation.
Look at the Bright Side
You’ll encounter some mishaps. It’s part of every vacation, regardless of how well you plan every detail of it. Go on your road trip with the mindset that you’ll focus only on enjoying yourself and making memories. This way, even with a flat tire, you can still get a good laugh and make it memorable in the best kind of way.
