7 Tips on How to Survive Long Road Trips without Going Crazy

Experts suggest that after this crisis, when travel and tourism restart, look for road trips and avoid flying. As most of us are used to flying to save more time, long road trips might put us through the hassle, at least in the beginning. While a road trip may seem like a romantic way to travel, it certainly comes with its drawbacks. To survive a road trip, it is important that you have a plan in place. Here are seven tips to get through long road trips without going crazy.

*Photo by Kaarina Dillabough on Flickr

 

1. Plan and Organise Effectively

One of the main tips for having pleasant road trips is practical trip planning. Your planning should include both logistics and safety considerations. While part of the fun of a road trip is the spontaneity that it encourages, it is also important to have a basic plan in place. You do not want to be out on the road at night with no place to sleep because every hotel is sold out. Making a list of important itinerary items will help ensure you hit all of the must-do attractions on your travel bucket list. Although it is important to stick to a basic schedule, you should also balance this with a fun level of spontaneity.

 

2. Vehicle Maintenance

Before hitting the road of adventure, it is critical that you have your vehicle checked out. Be sure to check fluid levels, tire pressure, engine oil, and other critical maintenance tasks. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere with an overheated engine will mar any road trip. It is also a good idea to wash your vehicle before leaving. This will ensure that the windows are clear and that you have good visibility. You will travel with more confidence if you know that your vehicle is prepared for the journey ahead.

 

3. Pack Your Essentials

*Photo by Henri Bergius on Flickr

Being prepared for a variety of situations will help to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable road trip. Essentials to pack include a first aid kit, wet wipes, jumper cables, and trash bags. It is also good to pack a wide array of portable food and drinks so that you do not have to stop every time that hunger strikes. To keep boredom at bay, be sure to bring along some varied entertainment options. Good ideas include books, magazines, road trip game starters, and electronic devices. Packing along entertainment is especially crucial if you are travelling with children.

 

4. Get Comfortable

As the trip toward your destination is long, it is very important for the driver and passengers to feel comfortable during the journey. Find some entertainment ideas that will keep everyone busy. Perhaps start with a conversation or joke and ask for everyone’s involvement. You can even have a sing-along.

Listening to music is comforting for everyone, so have a playlist including everyone’s favourite tracks. If you are not the driver and can have headphones on, you can even try an audiobook to listen to during the road trip. Pick up a story or book you always wanted to hear and never got a chance to. Reading a book is another option you might as well consider. Plus, the trip on the road can become a great opportunity for your creativity to shine. So, why don’t you use what you see on the road, stretch your imagination and write a story or poem?

 

5. Bring Food and Snacks

Some travellers rely on roadside diners and restaurants when embarking on a road trip. This might be a bit risky since the diner might be closed or it may take a long time to reach there. So, why don’t you fix some sandwiches before the trip and have them in the car from time to time?

Also, don’t forget about snacks. Bringing some small snacks will save you a lot of time as you won’t have to make a lot of fast-food stops. Healthy snacks like nuts and fruits are a good way to keep your energy level up and running for the duration of the trip. 

Having a bottle of drinking water or another beverage is also essential for staying hydrated. Make sure to take regular sips of water occasionally and fill your bottle every chance you get since you may not find a convenience store for some time.

 

6. Take Regular Breaks

We all know that you want to get to your destination as soon as possible and prefer not to make any stops. However, you need to occasionally stop to take a breath of fresh air and do some stretching. 

You don’t have to make a lot of stops, but make the stops count. Enjoy the breaks as much as you can. Have a drink or something with your fellow travellers. Go to the bathroom, especially when you have taken some water. 

 

7. Avoid Confrontations

A long trip can be a tiring experience, but the togetherness you feel with your fellow travellers will make it an exciting one. Nevertheless, sometimes disagreements may arise, and confrontations can take place. There are ways to ensure that they are quickly solved or kept at a minimum. 

One way is to solve all the issues before starting the trip. Make your reservations and the type of accommodation you want beforehand, and decide on the roles each one will play and the things each one is responsible for. If you want to take turns driving, plan for that right before. If there are several routes to your destination, decide together which route to choose. Fighting and disagreements in the middle of the road can be dangerous and detrimental to your experience, so make sure all is good before heading for the road.